James B. Morehead

James B. Morehead
Born (1916-08-16)August 16, 1916
Paoli, Oklahoma
Died March 11, 2012(2012-03-11) (aged 95)
Petaluma, California
Allegiance  United States of America
Service/branch 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

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

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

  1. "Military Times Hall of Valor". Awards and Citations: Distinguished Service Cross. militarytimes.com. Retrieved 9 February 2011.
  2. 1 2 Carter, Lori (19 January 2011). "Petaluma honors WWII 'ace'". Petaluma, California: The Press Democrat. Retrieved 9 February 2011.
  3. "American Combat Airman Hall of Fame" (PDF). www.airpowermuseum.org. Retrieved 9 February 2011.
  4. "Aerial Victory Credits". Air Force Historical Research Agency. pp. (search on Name "begins with" "Morehead"). Retrieved 14 March 2012.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 Shapiro, T. Rees (16 March 2012). "James B. Morehead, WWII ace known as 'Wildman". The Washington Post.
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