Deblanc was the winner of many awards including the distinguished flying cross and the congressional medal of honor. Martinville, an ace fighter pilot in world war ii and winner of the medal of honor, died at age 86 thursday at lafayette general medical center. Medal of honor book united states of america medal of honor. In a single mission on january 31, 1943, captain jefferson deblanc shot down five enemy aircraft that were attacking an american force over the solomon islands. Deblanc, a world war ii fighter pilot who was awarded the medal of honor for shooting down five japanese planes on a single day while running out of fuel, died nov. Mccloughan about the actions mccloughan took over the course of 48 hours in closecombat fighting against enemy forces in vietnam in 1969.
Their names are followed by their rank and rate, if known, the date of the action and the vessel or unit on which they served. He was the wars most decorated soldier and a national hero. He absolutely thrilled with the product nnd couldnt thank us enough. The last medal of honor ace at guadalcanal was another youngster, 22yearold 1st lt. He rendered decisive assistance during a critical stage of operations. Nov 16, 2010 read offical citation for medal of honor recipient. Ola lee mize died at 82,according to medal of honor society. Us aces and aviators in ww2 aircrew remembered site. Groberg distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a personal security detachment commander for task force mountain warrior, 4th infantry brigade combat team, 4th infantry division, during combat operations against an armed enemy in asadbad, kunar province, afghanistan on august 8, 2012. Desmond doss enlisted in april but refused to kill or carry a weapon into combat because of his personal beliefs as a seventhday adventist. A tough, capable combat leader, smith received the medal of honor for his. Tracking down false heroes medal of honor recipients go after impostors the tale of fred renz is truly aweinspiring a fighter pilot in the korean war, he swooped into enemy territory under.
Bestowed by congress, the award recognizes valor in action against an enemy force. Murphy commanded company b, which was attacked by 6 tanks and waves of infantry. Wwii aces and heroes who won the medal of honor, congressional moh. Medal of honor citations are peppered with terms like gallantry and intrepidity, and descriptions of action above and beyond the. He received the medal of honor for his actions that day. After flight training at new orleans, louisana and corpus christi, texas, he was appointed as an aviation cadet. Read offical citation for medal of honor recipient. Here is the text of giuntas medal of honor citation.
Audie murphy enlisted in the united states army at age 17 to make something of himself. Medal of honor heroes wwii fighter pilots and aces. John basilones medal of honor citation unto the breach. Jefferson joseph deblanc was born on february 15, 1921 in lockport, louisiana. Medal of honor citations are peppered with terms like gallantry and intrepidity, and descriptions of action above and beyond the call of duty. Deblanc first saw action in world war ii at the island of guadalcanal in the south pacific. Deblanc became a second lieutenant in the marine corps reserve in july 1942. As a part of this, i am hoping to obtain a copy of the veterans medal of honor citation. Since 1861, the medal of honor has been awarded to more than 3,000 members of the military. A gallant officer, a superb airman, and an indomitable fighter. Read offical citation for medal of honor recipient armed.
The book united states of america congressional medal of honor recipients and their official citations book lists medal of honor recipients and their official citations. John baca vietnam congressional medal of honor recipient. Fearlessly leading 7 men, he charged with great daring a machinegun nest which was pouring deadly and incessant fire upon his platoon. Jefferson joseph deblanc february 15, 1921 november 22, 2007 was an american world. Deblanc and louise deblanc at a medal of honor ceremony in 1946. After his platoon had suffered heavy casualties and 3 other noncommissioned officers had become casualties, cpl. These individuals earned the navy medal of honor during the period. The medal of honor, the nations highest military award, is given to those who serve their country with uncommon valor and extraordinary courage. It is an outstanding book, thoroughly accurate, that should be read by everyone. View all digital collections for medal of honor recipients listed alphabetically. Highlights of the book include a profile of joe foss, and a wartime history of. The awards for specific actions went to first lieutenant jefferson deblanc 31.
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as leader of a section of six fighter planes in vmf112, during aerial operations against enemy japanese forces off kolombangara island in the. Deblancs exploits off kolombangara, the citation said that he. Raymond zussman photo above and citation language below from book. I am attempting to put together some items to create a shadow box for him for when he is older. World war ii medal of honor recipients naval history and heritage. Jefferson deblanc earned the medal of honor for downing five zeros in the. Engaging in almost daily combat with the enemy from october 9 to november 19, 1942, captain foss personally. All posts must include a medal of honor citation from any conflict after 1861 or an open discussion on individual medal of honor recipients, battles, and wars in which the moh was awarded.
Citation for master sergeant woodrow keeble winner of medal. Citation the president of the united states of america, authorized by act of congress, march 3, 2008, has awarded in the name of congress the medal of honor to. How these brave moh pilots proved their valor in the skies. During this conflict 464 united states military personnel received the medal of honor, 266 of them posthumously. The president of the united states of america, authorized by act of congress, april 4, 2005, has awarded in the name of congress the medal of honor to. Deblanc won the medal of honor for actions over guadalcanal in 1942. Deblanc united states marine corps reserve for service as set forth in the following citation.
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as leader of a section of six fighter planes in marine fighting squadron 112, during aerial operations against. On january 31, 1943, despite mechanical problems with his aircraft, he pressed forward with a mission and shot down five japanese aircraft. Walter ehlers, medal of honor winner, died on february 2014 at the age of he was one of. Deblanc was decorated several times for his service in the war before and after the feat that won him the medal of honor. United states of americas congressional medal of honor recipients and their citations is on my desk at all times and is the first source of information i use to confirm that an individual is a legitimate recipient of the medal of honor. In a single mission on january 31, 1943, captain jefferson deblanc shot down five. Wartime history on july 29, 1941 deblanc enlisted as a seaman second class in the u. And their official citations we purchased this item as a birthday gift for our soninlaw. Four years later, as a struggling actor in hollywood, he turned his wartime experiences into a best selling book, to hell and back. Tracking down false heroes medal of honor recipients go. October 24, 1942 leave a comment on john basilones medal of honor citation the president of the united states in the name of the congress takes pleasure in presenting the medal of honor to.
Smith article on this site, which includes the text of his moh citation. The jefferson coates county campus for the missouri school for the blind was named after coates. The veteran is deceased and i am not his next of kin. From migrant farmworker and middleschool dropout to recipient of his countrys highest award for bravery, roy benavidez demonstrated the courage and fortitude of an. The history of the third infantry division in world war ii. My wife and i recently had our first child and named him after a medal of honor recipient. We are looking for a few good men and women to be staff contributors, writers, and moderators. Deblanc, a world war ii fighter pilot who was awarded the medal of.
In may 1942, deblanc was discharged from the naval reserve and commissioned a second lieutenant in the u. These individuals earned the navy medal of honor during the period specified. For extraordinary heroism on 1 july 1863, while serving with company h, 7th wisconsin infantry, in action at gettysburg, pennsylvania, for unsurpassed courage in battle, where he had both eyes shot out. For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as a fighter pilot attached to marine fighting squadron two fifteen in action against japanese forces at bougainville islands, november 1, 1943, and new britain island, january 24, 1944.
Medal of honor book united states of america medal of. The president of the united states takes pride in presenting the medal of honor to first lieutenant jefferson j. Official citation for medal of honor winner sergeant first. In a war known for turning men into heroes, jefferson j. In this heroic feat the machinegun nest was taken, together with 4. Medal of honor recipient james mccloughan pritzker.
F ifteen of the american aces profiled on this web site were awarded the congressional medal of honor. The book every american should read vietnam now available in trade paperback. Your service to us in purchasing the product and the description of the product was spoton. By the end of world war ii, audie murphys exploits had earned him every medal his country could give. The title was sanctioned by the united states congressional medal of honor society. Jefferson deblanc, the father of crewmember richard deblanc ms 7276. Congress wished to confer the medal of honor but was blocked by the stringent requirements which required heroism performed under fire. The book is a compilation of citations and statistics for those who have earned the us congressional medal of honor. The medal of honor is the highest military award that can be bestowed on personnel in the united states armed forces. List of medal of honor recipients for world war ii. The president of the united states of america, in the name of congress, takes pleasure in presenting the medal of honor to captain jefferson joseph. Murphy ordered his men to withdraw to prepared positions in a woods, while he remained forward at his command post and continued to give fire directions to the artillery by telephone. United states of americas congressional medal of honor recipients. Robert taylor victory flyover poster battleship uss.
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as leader of a section of 6 fighter planes in marine fighting squadron 112, during aerial operations against enemy. Medal of honor heroes wwi, wwii and korean war fighter pilots. The medal of honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the united states. Originally galer and deblanc received navy crosses, but both were upgradedgalers during the war and deblancs afterward, when he was recalled to uniform for the award ceremony.
From his very first day there, he proved himself as a talented fighter pilot. Sep 27, 2011 in a single mission on january 31, 1943, captain jefferson deblanc shot down five enemy aircraft that were attacking an american force over the solomon islands. For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as commanding officer of company a, in action against the enemy in the northern a shau valley. He shot down two betty bombers on his first day and.
This book is the first of two titles looking at the recipients of the medal of honor during world war ii 19391945. The issue features corporal desmond doss along with another medal of honor recipient, lieutenant charles q. No gossip or tabloidesque material unless related to the medal of honor. National medal of honor medals of honor and citation bars. Deblanc was decorated several times for his service in the war before and. Deblanc wrote a book about the air war over guadalcanal. In chronological order, here is a brief introduction to those fifteen heroes, with links to their pages and relevant sources. Jefferson joseph deblanc february 15, 1921 november 22, 2007 was a world war ii marine corps fighter pilot and ace shooting down nine japanese aircraft during two tours of duty in the pacific at guadalcanal and okinawa and a medal of honor recipient. Deblanc always played cowboys and indians dressed in a captain eddie rickenbacker flying suit and sam browne belt and goggles. For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as leader of a section of 6 fighter planes in marine fightingsic squadron 112, during aerial operations against enemy japanese forces off kolombangara island in the solomons group, 31 january 1943.
John baca vietnam medal of honor signed 4x6 photo autographed. Here is the powerful story of one mans fight against bigotry, paralysis and his war enemy that led to the medal of honor. The comic was a special edition of the series medal of honor, published april 1, 1994. United states of americas congressional medal of honor. Deblanc was awarded the medal of honor by president truman on. Sep 22, 2017 my wife and i recently had our first child and named him after a medal of honor recipient. Jefferson deblanc, honored world war ii fighter pilot. Additionally, the only recipient for the united states coast guard received the. Mccloughan interview medal of honor recipient allen j lynch interviews specialist five james c. In the revised edition of the new york times bestseller that includes a 90minute dvd, more than one hundred of americas living medal of honor recipients are honored and their bravery recounted. A posthumous special medal for heroism, never before given and never to be given again, was authorized by congress and awarded by the president 18 jan 1961.
Navy reserve usnr and began flight training at naval reserve aviation base in new orleans then to nas corpus christi. Desmond doss awarded a medal of honor for saving 75 lives during brutal battle of okinawa doss was born in lynchburg, virginia, son of william thomas doss, a carpenter, and bertha e. For outstanding heroism and courage above and beyond the call of duty as executive officer of a marine fighting squadron, at guadalcanal, solomon islands. No gossip or tabloidesque material unless related to. Jefferson joseph deblanc february 15, 1921 november 22, 2007 was an american world war ii marine corps fighter pilot and flying ace, credited with shooting down nine japanese aircraft during two tours of duty in the pacific at guadalcanal and okinawa. Jefferson joseph deblanc, sr 19212007 find a grave. Robert taylor victory flyover poster battleship uss missouri. Navy recipients antrim, richard nott, commander, u. October 24, 1942 leave a comment on john basilones medal of honor citation. World war ii congressional medal of honor recipient. The president of the united states in the name of the congress takes pleasure in presenting the medal of honor to.