World War II Medal of Honor Recipient. Born in Cerrillos, New Mexico, and enlisted into the military at Denver, Colorado. Served as a Brigadier General, U.S. Army Air Corps, Commander of 5th Bomber Command in the South Pacific Theater. As Commander, he accompanied his units on bombing missions into enemy-held territory. From the lessons gained under combat conditions, he developed a highly efficient technique for bombing when opposed by enemy fighters and antiaircraft fire. On January 5, 1943, he led an effective daylight bombing attack against Japanese shipping in the harbor at Rabaul, New Britain. Though intercepted by enemy fighters, they scored direct hits on nine Japanese ships. During this action, one B-17 Bomber was shot down and his plane was disabled. He was last seen leaving the target area with one engine on fire and several fighters on his tail. A search failed to find any wreckage or survivors. President Roosevelt presented the Medal of Honor to his son in a White House ceremony on March 25, 1943. After the war, his name was inscribed on the Tablets of the Missing at Manila American Cemetery. There is also a cenotaph for him at Arlington National Cemetery.
World War II Medal of Honor Recipient. Born in Cerrillos, New Mexico, and enlisted into the military at Denver, Colorado. Served as a Brigadier General, U.S. Army Air Corps, Commander of 5th Bomber Command in the South Pacific Theater. As Commander, he accompanied his units on bombing missions into enemy-held territory. From the lessons gained under combat conditions, he developed a highly efficient technique for bombing when opposed by enemy fighters and antiaircraft fire. On January 5, 1943, he led an effective daylight bombing attack against Japanese shipping in the harbor at Rabaul, New Britain. Though intercepted by enemy fighters, they scored direct hits on nine Japanese ships. During this action, one B-17 Bomber was shot down and his plane was disabled. He was last seen leaving the target area with one engine on fire and several fighters on his tail. A search failed to find any wreckage or survivors. President Roosevelt presented the Medal of Honor to his son in a White House ceremony on March 25, 1943. After the war, his name was inscribed on the Tablets of the Missing at Manila American Cemetery. There is also a cenotaph for him at Arlington National Cemetery.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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