Laureled Sons of Dartmouth

Men Cited for Heroism and Meritorious Achievement

CAPTAIN ARMAND B. MILLER '41, USAAF, of an Eighth Air Force Liberator station in England, has been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.

Captain Miller is a navigator on one of the giant B-24 Liberators operating from this heavy bomber base. A veteran of many missions over enemy territory, he is taking an active part in the all-out aerial offensive against the enemy. As navigator of the big airplane, the utmost skill and experience is needed in the successful completion of a mission.

His citation reads: "For extraordinary achievement, while serving with distinction on numerous Special Operational missions over enemy-occupied Europe. Captain Miller performed his duties with the utmost skill and his actions while engaged in combat with the enemy have been an example to his fellow crewmen. The courage, determination and exceptional skill displayed by Captain Miller contributed materially to the successful completion of each of these missions and reflect highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States."

Captain Miller also holds the Air Medal with Three Oak Leaf Clusters.

The award of the D.F.C. was announced by Lieutenant General. Doolittle, Commanding General Eighth Air Force, and was presented by Colonel C. J. Hefflin, C.O. of his station. Captain Miller entered the Army in January, 1942. He comes from Waukegan, 111.

SECOND LIEUTENANT JOSEPH B. MISKELL JR. '43, USAAF, with an Eighth Air Force Bomber Group in England, has been awarded his second Oak Leaf Cluster to a previously awarded Air Medal, equivalent to a third award of the medal, for "courage, coolness, and skill" displayed on bombing attacks over Germany. Lt. Miskell is a navigator of a B-17 Flying Fortress. He entered the Army Air Forces in May, 1943, and his home is in Falmouth Heights, Mass.

CAPTAIN HARRY CASLER '30, USAAF, stationed in Italy, has been awarded the Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster for distinguished service. He has also won, with his group, the Distinguished Unit Badge with one Cluster.

MAJOR JAMES A. FEELEY JR. '39, USMCR, from Chestnut Hill, Mass., has been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for damaging attacks on the Japs in the South Pacific. Executive Officer of a squadron of Marine dive bombers, he was decorated for "extraordinary achievement" from May 13 to June 12, 1944.

"During this period," his citation states, "Major Feeley led his squadron in numerous strikes against heavily defended Japanese airfield installations and other targets in the Solomon Islands and Bismarck Archipelago areas.

"On May 15, in an attack against Kavieng airfield, New Ireland, he scored three damaging hits on the runway. On May 17, he destroyed a gun position at Kavieng and on May 19, despite severe anti-aircraft fire which damaged his plane, he scored a direct hit on and destroyed a large supply dump at Amba Village, New Ireland.

"On many other occasions, his able leadership and accurate bombing were responsible for inflicting considerable damage against the enemy. His superior airmanship and courageous conduct contributed materially to the success of all missions and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."

Although Major Feeley was cited specifically for the above period of operations, he has since been credited with equally commendable bits of action. He has totaled 55 combat missions.

CAPTAIN LELAND J. STACY JR. '45, USAAF, flying a 15th AAF P-51 Mustang fighter plane, has been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement in aerial combat against the enemy.

The citation reads: "On July 3, 1944, Capt. Stacy led his flight as escort to heavy bombers on a mission against strategic enemy installations in Rumania. Enroute to the target the bomber formation was attacked by two large forces of enemy fighters. Despite the overwhelming superiority of the enemy, the flight led by Capt. Stacy aggressively engaged and completely repulsed the enemy formations. During the engagement he destroyed one enemy aircraft. Through his conspicuous gallantry and superior flying skill, he materially aided in the successful completion of the bomber mission. By his outstanding initiative, exemplary leadership and devotion to duty, Capt. Stacy has reflected great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States of America."

Capt. Stacy started combat flying in the Mediterranean theatre on April 16 of this year, and has completed 55 successful missions with over 250 hours of combat flying time. He has destroyed three enemy planes and has also been awarded the Air Medal with 7 Oak Leaf Clusters. He was commissioned as pilot on November 3, 1943 at Spence Field, Moultrie, Ga.

SECOND LIEUTENANT HARRY L. WALSH '46, USAAF, pilot of a B-24 Liberator Group, 15th AAF in Italy, has recently been awarded the Air Medal "for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial activities against the enemy."

He has been overseas since early July and has participated in bombing attacks on key Nazi targets extending from France through the Balkans. Lieutenant Walsh comes from Elgin, 111.

FIRST LIEUTENANT RICHARD C. CRABTREE '45, USAAF, flying with a 12th AAF at an advanced fighter base in France, has been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.

Lt. Crabtree, a member of the famous P-47 Thunderbolt group commanded by Lt. Col. William R. Nevitt, of Houston, Texas, was flying in a formation over the Po Valley, Italy, on July 27, when his flight leader was hit by flak and forced to return to his base. Lt. Crabtree immediately assumed command, skillfully maneuvering the formation into a perfect bomb run over the target through intense flak and heavy overcast. Hits were scored, destroying a rail bridge and a large railroad train. Returning to his base, he strafed and damaged 30 railroad cars.

His home is in Chicago, 111.

FIRST LIEUTENANT WILLIAM G. CLEAVES '40, USAAF, pilot of a B-17 at an Eighth Air Force bomber station in England, has been awarded the Air Medal for "courage, coolness and skill" displayed on bombing attacks over Germany. Lt. Cleaves is from Swarthmore, Penna.

IT. HERDMAN S. PORTER '45 USAAF, pilot of a B-17 overseas, who was previously awarded the Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster has won the Distinguished Flying Cross and two Oak Leaf Clusters. He is now back in this country.

CAPTAIN EDWIN E. MYERS '20, USAAF, administrative officer in a 15th AAF B-24 Liberator Group based in Italy, has received the Air Medal for 8 combat missions in which he served as an aerial observer. His group has also won a Distinguished Unit Citation.

IT. COL. STANLEY F. UNGAR '23, USAAF, Flight Surgeon with the 9th Air Force, wounded by a sniper's bullet, has been awarded the Purple Heart. He had previously been decorated with the Air Medal.

LIEUTENANT ROBERT K. SCHOONMAKER '42, USAAF, missing in action over France on July 8, 1944 has received the Air Medal and several Oak Leaf Clusters. He is the pilot of a Martin Marauder and has completed 67 missions.

MAJOR HAROLD B. INGERSOLL '17. AUS, has been awarded the Legion of Merit. I regret that I have no citation for this.

SECOND LIEUTENANT HARRY W. RITTER '45, USAAC, navigator in the 15th Air Force in Italy, has been awarded the Air Medal and an Oak Leaf Cluster. His group was also awarded the Presidential citation.

SECOND LIEUTENANT LELAND H. SHAW '33, AUS, served in the European theater from April to August, 1944. He was wounded in France in August, 1944, and was awarded the Silver Star and the Purple Heart. He is now at the Lawson General Hospital in Atlanta, Ga.

His citation reads in part: "With utter disregard for his own safety, he rode in the point vehicle of his platoon and pushed his reconnaissance forward against superior enemy opposition to secure information which enabled the command to determine the enemy positions of defense. Having overcome one strong point, he placed his troops in a position of safety and personally went forward to reconnoiter the mine field surrounding a road block. Heavy artillery and mortar fire was dropped upon his sector, seriously wounding him to such an extent that he suffered the loss of both of his legs. Lieutenant Shaw's leadership and utter disregard for his own safety were an inspiration to his men and reflect the highest traditions of the military service."

FIRST LIEUTENANT PERRY P. CRAVER '44, USAAF, during seven months flying a B-24 Liberator in the European theater has added four Oak Leaf Clusters to his Air Medal and one Oak Leaf Cluster mentioned here in October issue.

WEARING THE DFC, which he won for damaging attacks on the Japs in the South Pacific, Marine Major James A. Feeley '39 is shown standing before his dive bomber.

THE DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS is awarded to Lt. Richard C. Crabtree '45 by Brig. Gen. Gordon P. Saville in France.