Laureled Sons of Dartmouth

Men Cited for Heroism and Meritorious Achievement

IN THE AUGUST ISSUE of the DARTMOUTH ALUMNI MAGAZINE a fine letter by Captain Jim Luttrell '37 was published telling of his first raid piloting a B-26 in North Africa.

For this exploit Jim has been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. The citation follows:

James N. Luttrell, 0-426402 Captain, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in North African Theatre of Operations as pilot of B-26 type aircraft. While over Cape Bon on 28 April 1943, Captain Luttrell's B-26 was badly damaged by anti-aircraft fire and was forced out of formation. Continuing alone toward the target, an enemy vessel was sighted on the Gulf of Hammamet, and by masterfully handling his partially disabled plane, Captain Luttrell managed a level bomb run. His bombardier registered directly upon the target and the vessel exploded and sank. When a flight of ME109's attacked, his gunners destroyed one, damaged several and dispersed the formation. Crossing the coast line, his plane encountered anti-aircraft fire and his gunners shot out two hostile gun positions, his aircraft receiving further damage. Upon reaching friendly territory he skillfully crash-landed without injury to his crew. His courage" and resourcefulness have reflected great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

By Command of Lt. General Spaatz.

Lt. CHARLES S. GRANT '39 USAAF has been awarded the Air Medal, an Oak Leaf Cluster for a particular engagement over Lae, New Guinea. Subsequently he received a citation for which a second Oak Leaf Cluster was awarded.

In June, 1943, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and up to the time he left Australia he had been on fortyeight combat missions.

Lt. General George C. Kenney, Commanding the Fifth Air Force wrote to Chuck's father on the 20th of July as follows:

"Recently your son, Lieutenant Charles S. Grant, was decorated with the D.F.C. It was an award made in recognition of courageous service to his combat organization, his fellow American airmen, his country, his home and to you.

"He was cited for extraordinary achievement while participating in a mission from Australia to the Philippine Islands.

"He was navigator of a B-25C type aircraft in a formation which took off on this flight. The trip was long and hazardous, involving a flight of several thousand miles over open sea under enemy control. With few landmarks or check points, the navigators guided their airplanes to the island of Mindanao and, after darkness had fallen, navigated the bombers through mountain passes to the destination. Upon completion of the missions against enemy positions in the Philippine Area, these officers successfully navigated their airplanes back to the home base.

"Almost every hour of every day your son, and the sons of other American fathers, are doing just such things as that here in the Southwest Pacific.

"Theirs is a very real and very tangible contribution to victory and to peace.

"I would like to tell you how genuinely proud I am to have had men such as your son in my command, and how gratified I am to know that young Americans with such courage and resourcefulness are fighting our country's battle against the aggressor nations."

ENSIGN LEON WILLIAM CANFIELD '38 USNR was killed on November 15, 1942, in the Battle of the Solomons.

Posthumously he has been awarded a citation and the Order of the Purple Heart.

FIRST LT. BENJAMIN D. PARKER '40, flight commander in the U. S. Army Air Corps, who was killed in action somewhere in the Southwest Pacific area on June 15, has been awarded the Purple Heart medal posthumously.

General Marshall, Chief of Staff, wrote: "Benjamin Parker was a gallant soldier of the United States Army who served with honor in defense of his country. The courage with which he died is one of our greatest assurances of ultimate victory in this terrible struggle."

The Commanding General of the Army Air Forces, H. H. Arnold, also wrote: "It has been brought to my attention that a fine education at Dartmouth and the C.A.A. flight training were utilized by Lieutenant Parker in attaining a splendid record at Brooks Field. As an officer he displayed ability and courage in the execution of his duties, and distinguished himself by the thoroughness with which he accomplished all assignments.

"We of the Army Air Forces are proud of your son's attainments, and hope that you will derive increasing comfort from the knowledge that he contributed his utmost to our Country's cause."

FLYING OFFICER GORDON H. CARTER '43, of the Royal Canadian Air Force, attached to the RAF, has received the Distinguished Flying Cross of the Air Force according to dispatches from Ottawa.

His citation read that he received the cross for "courage, initiative and fortitude in keeping with the traditions of the Royal Air Force."

Gordon Carter left Dartmouth in his sophomore year to enlist in the Canadian Air Force and he went overseas as a navigator in May, 1942. He had been reported missing early this year, but later reached England and resumed his flying duties.

CAPT. JAMES N. LUTTRELL '37 USAAC, who has been awarded the D.F.C.