James B. Morehead
James B. Morehead | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | August 16, 1916 Paoli, Oklahoma |
| Died | March 11, 2012 (aged 95) Petaluma, California |
| Allegiance |  United States of America |
| Service/ |  United States Army Air Forces  United States Air Force |
| Years of service | 1940 – 1967 |
| Rank |  Colonel |
| Awards | Distinguished Service Cross Silver Star Distinguished Flying Cross Air Medal |
James B. Morehead (August 16, 1916 – March 11, 2012) was an Ace fighter pilot of World War II. He flew combat missions over a three-year span of the war with a total of eight aerial victories. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.[1][2] He was subsequently awarded a second Distinguished Service Cross, a Silver Star and 16 other medals.[2]
In 1999 he was inducted into the American Combat Airman Hall of Fame.[3]
Biography
Pre World War II
World War II
His book "In my sights" is a candid, honest, brave story of the few who survived the terrible aerial battles against the Seros in the Southwest Pacific.
Aerial Victory credits
| Date | Location | Credits[4] | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| February 25, 1942 | Darwin Australia[5] | 3 | Awarded DSC[5] |
| April 25, 1942 | Pacific Theater of Operations[5] | 2 | Achieved Ace Status |
| August 23, 1942 | Pacific Theater of Operations[5] | 2 | |
| June 6, 1944 | Romania[5] | 1 |
Military career after World War II
Decorations
  |
Distinguished Service Cross with oak leaf cluster |
|
Silver Star |
 |
Distinguished Flying Cross with oak leaf cluster |
  |
Air Medal with 3 silver oak leaf clusters |
References
- ^ "Military Times Hall of Valor". Awards and Citations: Distinguished Service Cross. militarytimes.com. Retrieved 9 February 2011.
- ^ a b Carter, Lori (19 January 2011). "Petaluma honors WWII 'ace'". Petaluma, California: The Press Democrat. Retrieved 9 February 2011.
- ^ "American Combat Airman Hall of Fame" (PDF). www.airpowermuseum.org. Retrieved 9 February 2011.
- ^ "Aerial Victory Credits". Air Force Historical Research Agency. pp. (search on Name "begins with" "Morehead"). Retrieved 14 March 2012.
- ^ a b c d e Shapiro, T. Rees (16 March 2012). "James B. Morehead, WWII ace known as 'Wildman". The Washington Post.
Categories:
- 1916 births
- 2012 deaths
- American World War II flying aces
- Aviators from Oklahoma
- Recipients of the Air Medal
- Recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)
- Recipients of the Distinguished Service Cross (United States)
- Recipients of the Silver Star
- United States Army Air Forces pilots of World War II