Laureled Sons
Men Cited for Heroism and Meritorious Achievement
SECOND LIEUTENANT JAMES R. WHITE '44, USAAF, flying a P-51 Mustang fighter with the 15th AAF in Italy, has been awarded the Air Medal for meritorious achievement in aerial flight.
His citation reads: "For meritorious achievement in aerial flight while partici-pating in sustained Operational activities against the enemy between the dates August 7 and August 20, 1944."
Lieutenant White started combat flying over enemy territory on August 7 when he participated with a fighter escort of 15 th AAF heavy bombers in attacking the Blechammer Oil Refineries in Germany. Since that date he has flown nine combat missions which have taken him over Italian, German, Austrian, and Balkan territories.
He entered the Army Air Forces in September 1942, received his wings in February 1944, and has been overseas since July of this year.
MAJOR DONALD W. BOYLE '38, USMCR, has been awarded the Air Medal for "skillful" leadership of his Marine Fighting Squadron in aerial combat.
While leading the planes of his squadron as escort fighters in the January 23 bombing raid on Lakunai Airdrome, Rabaul, he fearlessly attacked harassing Zeros with such telling effect that only one of our bombers failed to return.
Major Boyle, who was personally credited with the probable destruction of one enemy fighter was reported missing in action on the day of that raid.
His citation reads: "For meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight as division leader attached to Marine fighting squadron 212 in combat against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands Area from October 20 to November 27, 1943, and from January 7 to 23, 1944.
"During this period of intense aerial activity Major Boyle skillfully and daringly led his division on numerous hazardous escort and strafing missions despite the danger imposed by heavy concentrations of enemy anti-aircraft fire and fierce fighter opposition. His brilliant tactics, expert marksmanship and courageous devotion to duty in the face of grave peril directly contributed to the success of our forces in this area and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."
FIRST LIEUTENANT JAMES R. BODINE '44, flying 50 combat missions as bombardier on one of the big B-24's attacking Nazi installations in the Mediterranean theater of operations with the 15th AAF, has been awarded the Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters for meritorious achieve- ment in aerial flight while participating in sustained operational activities against the enemy. He received his bombardier's wings last December at Big Spring, Texas.
LIEUTENANT ROBERT E. KRIEGER '41 USAAF, remembered for his winning goal in the famous fifth down game against Cornell, has been awarded the Air Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters in addition to the Distinguished Flying Cross, for participating in 31 missions over Germany as pilot of a B-24 Liberator bomber.
LIEUTENANT THEODORE E. LAPRES '42, who commanded a Ranger group on D-Day, has been awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action. His group also received the Presidential citation.
I am sorry to report that in this action, according to a news account in The Philadelphia Bulletin, Lieutenant Lapres suffered the loss of his left foot and part of his leg.
LIEUTENANT (JG) VINCENT B. TIBBALS '42, USNR, has been awarded the Air Medal. He has flown 22 combat missions against the Japanese as the pilot of a Navy dive-bomber.
His citation reads: "For meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight against the enemy as a pilot attached to a Navy dive bombing squadron operating in the South Pacific area He took part in a successful strike against shipping in Keravia Bay, scoring a damaging hit on a small cargo vessel. He damaged and probably destroyed a heavy gun position at an enemy airfield. In addition he carried out numerous bombing and strafing attacks against enemy shipping, supply areas and gun positions at New Ireland and on Bougainville, resulting in costly damage to enemy equipment.
"His skillful airmanship and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."
CCAPTAIN ROBERT DANA BROWN '43, servA ing with the infantry in the sth Army in North Africa and in Italy, has been awarded a Bronze Star "for heroic achievement in battle," and the Purple Heart after he was wounded near Rome.
After spending a month in a hospital Captain Brown was fully recovered and returned to active service with his regiment.
THE FOLLOWING MEN have won citations and I regret that more information is not available regarding their citations and their records:
LIEUTENANT PHILIP D. THOMPSON '27, USAAC, in a B-24 group hitting enemy outposts near the Philippines, has won the Air Medal and two battle stars on his Asiatic-Pacific campaign ribbon.
MAJOR PHILIP CONTI '37, USAAF, has added the Silver Star to his previous decorations of the D.F.C., and two Air Medals. He had flown 42 combat missions in the Pacific on last report.
FIRST LIEUTENANT THEODORE W. HUFSTADER '45, pilot of a B-24 with the famous 8th Army Air Force, has been awarded the Air Medal.
LIEUTENANT FRED M. RANKIN JR. '44, USAAF, lead navigator on a B-26, and wounded in action over France August 4, 1944, has been awarded the Air Medal, two Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Purple Heart.
MAJOR WILLIAM T. BELL JR. '37, USA, has been awarded the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious achievement in the South Pacific.
MAJOR JOHN R. MAYER '38, USMC, has been awarded the Silver Star Medal.
CAPTAIN ALFRED C. MEYER JR. '36, USA, has won the Silver Star for heroic and outstanding achievement in the fight for New Guinea.
LIEUTENANT EDWARD S. RUSSELL JR. '45, USAAF, pilot of a Liberator flying out of North Africa, has been awarded the Air Medal with clusters.
FIRST LIEUTENANT CHARLES H. BROWN '35, USA, with an Armored Corps in Italy, has won the Bronze Star, the Legion of Merit, and has two campaign stars.
LIEUTENANT FREDERICK H. MICHEL '4O, USAAF, a fighter pilot, has won the Air Medal.
FIRST LIEUTENANT STANLEY L. NEISLOSS '43, USAAF, navigator of a B-24 Liberator, has completed thirty missions in the European theater including the "terrific" engagement at St. Lo when the Yanks broke through to take France. He was attached to the Bth Air Force.
For "meritorious conduct" Lieutenant Neisloss has been awarded the Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Distinguished Flying Cross.
LIEUTENANT COLONEL MAXWELL EMERSON '25, attached to the 32nd Infantry division, has been awarded the Silver Star for his work in taking command of a supply ship under enemy aerial attack and directing its movement to a position where it would not block a New Guinea harbor if sunk. It went down in shallow water and its much-needed cargo was salvaged.
LIEUTENANT (JG) HAROLD H. JENSEN JR. '39, USNR, has been awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for distin- guishing himself by heroism while serving as executive officer on board the USS LCI (L) 4 off the Anzio Nettuno beachhead on February 16, 1944.
"When a British LST was sunk by internal explosions, the USS LCI (L) 4 immediately proceeded to the rescue of the survivors struggling in the sea. Lieutenant (jg) Jensen, observing a soldier clinging to a piece of wreckage with one arm and supporting an unconscious British sailor with the other, promptly and with complete disregard for his own safety, dived into the water and swam to the two men. After reaching them, by determined and extreme efforts, he succeeded in bringing first the helpless sailor and then the exhausted soldier alongside the ship and transferring them to safety. This persistent and selfless action undoubtedly contributed to the saving of two lives.
"The extraordinary courage, prompt and decisive action, and outstanding devotion to duty displayed by Lt. (jg) Jensen were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Naval Service."
SECOND LIEUTENANT CHARLES M. ALLEN '46, co-pilot on a B-17 Flying Fortress of the Bth was recently reported missing. Later news reports that he is held as a prisoner of war in Germany. Lieutenant Allen flew 7,000 miles on a three way "shuttle" bombing flight from England to Russia, to Italy, and back to England. Four separate bombing attacks were made on Nazi war machine targets in Germany, Poland, Rumania and France.
Lieutenant Allen wrote: "The Russians pride themselves on what they have done in this war. From what we saw of them, they deserve plenty of credit The Russians are the most determined people that I have ever seen and after having talked with them and lived with them a few days I have nothing but sheer admiration for them."
Lieutenant Allen, from Austin, Minn., belongs to a heavy bombardment group which has won a Presidential Unit citation for gallantry in action. He has also received the Air Medal "for meritorious achievement in battle over Nazi Europe," and an Oak Leaf Cluster "for courage, coolness and skill in aerial combat."
WARTIME VERSION OF PALAEOPITUS is the Navy V-12 Student Council, shown at one of its sessions in Robinson Hall. Elected dormitory representatives above (clockwise around the table) are Robert M. McNally, Ralph G. Tyler '45, Frederick Pfau, Eugene Rubacky, Max Pryor, Council chairman, Eugene O. DeFelice, Emmett G. Jergensen, and Charles A. Marshall.
THE AIR MEDAL for meritorious achievement in aerial flight has been awarded 2d Lt. James R. White '44, Mustang pilot.
