BOGGS, EDWARD H.
Citation:
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the
Silver Star Medal to Edward H. Boggs, Technical Sergeant, U.S. Air
Force, for gallantry in action and heroism against an enemy near Munsan,
Korea, on 31 March 1951. On that date, Sergeant Boggs, an Aero Medical
crew member on a rescue helicopter with Detachment 1, Third Air Rescue
Squadron, flew to an area where critically wounded United Nations troops
were cut off by enemy forces. The helicopter landed amidst enemy small
arms, automatic weapons, and mortar fire. When he realized there were
too many wounded men to evacuate before dark, Sergeant Boggs volunteered
to remain on the ground with the trapped men in order that one
additional wounded man could be evacuated on each flight to a nearby aid
station. Sergeant Boggs was well aware that by remaining behind he would
risk his own life. While the helicopter shuttled back and forth,
Sergeant Boggs took full charge of the disorganized and weary group. He
directed survivors to defensive positions in order to repulse enemy
infiltration. Constantly exposing himself to enemy fire, Sergeant Boggs
established a system of priority for evacuation and gave all first-aid
possible. Not until the last wounded man was evacuated did Sergeant
Boggs consider leaving the area. By his expert leadership and
exceptional bravery under fire, Sergeant Boggs brought about the rescue
of a large number of seriously wounded men. Sergeant Boggs' heroism and
selflessness were in keeping with the highest tradition of the service
and reflected great credit upon himself, the Far East Air Forces, and
the United States Air Force.
Headquarters, Far East Air Forces,
General Orders No. 30 (January 15, 1952)
BRYSON, JAMES K.
Citation:
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the
Silver Star Medal to James K. Bryson, Staff Sergeant, U.S. Air Force,
for gallantry in action against the enemy on 23 November 1950 by
assisting in the rescue of an injured American fighter pilot deep in
enemy territory, five miles south of Kanggye, Korea. Sergeant Bryson,
assigned as medical technician crew member of a rescue helicopter,
volunteered for a pilot pick-up mission with full knowledge that the
immediate area of the pick-up contained numerous enemy troops, and that
the fuel supply of the helicopter might not be sufficient for the return
flight to friendly territory. After flying eighty miles behind enemy
lines, the helicopter landed near the injured pilot who had fired a
flare to expose his position. Enemy troops immediately opened fire with
automatic weapons and rifles. With complete disregard for his own life,
Staff Sergeant Bryson jumped from the helicopter and ran to the aid of
the injured pilot. With enemy fire striking dangerously near, often as
close as two feet, Sergeant Bryson assisted the injured pilot to the
helicopter. While taking off, the helicopter was hit in the tail cone,
but succeeded in returning to Sinanju. Sergeant Bryson's courage in the
face of enemy fire was in keeping with the highest traditions of the
service, and reflected great credit upon himself, the Far East Air
Forces, and the United States Air Force.
CAGE, PHIL B.
Citation:
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the
Silver Star Medal to Phil B. Cage, Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Air Force,
for gallantry in action against the enemy on 8 December 1950. Landing
his C-47 transport airplane on a 1900 foot landing strip that had been
hastily scraped from frozen sod at Koto-Ri, Korea, he effected the
evacuation of 19 casualties who were doomed to perish from exposure or
enemy capture. The peculiar location of the landing strip, which was the
only level spot in the vicinity of the battlefront, made it necessary
for Colonel Cage to fly his C-47 down a narrow valley which was flanked
on both sides by thousands of enemy troops. As he let down on his
approach to the landing strip, ridges, 2000 feet high, formed a physical
hazard on each side. This hazard was further increased by intense napalm
smoke, burning of abandoned supplies, and a light falling snow. As a
follow-up to his daring flight, 312 additional wounded troops were
swiftly evacuated by other C-47 pilots who emulated his example. Colonel
Cage accomplished his mission literally within range of overwhelming
enemy forces who surged to within 200 yards of Koto-Ri airstrip. His
heroism, courageous devotion to duty, and superior leadership reflect
great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
Headquarters, Far East Air Forces,
General Orders No. 22 (30 January 1951)
CARLTON, MERRILL H.
Citation:
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the
Silver Star Medal to Merrill H. Carlton, Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Air
Force, for meritorious achievement and conspicuous gallantry in aerial
flight on 20 July 1950 in support of the United Nations Forces as pilot
of and unarmed T-6 aircraft in the vicinity of Tanyang, Korea. While on
a visual reconnaissance flight over mountainous terrain, deep in enemy
territory, with enemy air opposition probable and expected, Lieutenant
Colonel (then Major) Carlton observed several gun positions, three
vehicles, and five hay stacks which later proved to be camouflaged enemy
medium tanks waiting to attack friendly forces. Realizing the military
value of the targets and the damage that could be inflicted on friendly
troops, Colonel Carlton immediately vectored friendly fighter aircraft
to the area. With complete disregard for personal safety he dove his
aircraft to within a few feet of the ground to pinpoint the targets for
the fighters. Although enemy ground fire had damaged his aircraft and
the enemy attacks continued, Colonel Carlton remained in the area and
directed the fighter strike which resulted in total destruction of three
gun positions, three vehicles, three tanks, and rendered the remainder
ineffective in battle. The aggressiveness, courage under fire, and
intense devotion to duty displayed by Colonel Carlton reflect great
credit upon himself, the Far East Air Forces, and the United States Air
Force.
Headquarters, Far East Air Forces,
General Orders No. 48 ( February 11, 1951)
CHASE, LEVI R.
Citation:
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the
Silver Star Medal to Levi R. Chase, Colonel, U.S. Air Force, for
gallantry in action against an armed enemy of the United Nations as
Commanding Officer, 8th Fighter Bomber Group, on 11 July 1952. Knowing
that the defense of the target area consisted of fifty-two heavy guns,
sixteen of which were radar controlled, sixteen four-gun batteries of
automatic weapons and an undetermined amount of intense small arms fire,
Colonel Chase led the 8th Fighter bomber Group on three highly
successful missions into this heavily defended area at Pyongyang, Korea.
Colonel Chase so effectively planned the attack and employed evasive
tactics that he led one hundred and eighty-one effective combat sorties
through the intense enemy barrage without major damage or the loss of a
single aircraft. This series of devastating attacks completely destroyed
a vital communications and ordnance manufacturing plant, and inflicted
major damage on a roundhouse and a locomotive repair plant. Through his
outstanding courage, leadership, and professional skill, Colonel Chase
was instrumental in reducing the war potential of the enemy, and
reflected great credit upon himself, the Far East Air Forces, and the
United States Air Force.
CONATSER, MAX C.
Citation:
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the
Silver Star Medal to Max C. Conatser, Major, U.S. Air Force, for
gallantry in action against an enemy in the vicinity of Pyongyang,
Korea, while commanding a Signal Construction Detachment in advance
support of the Fifth Air Force. When evacuation was necessary, Major
Conatser voluntarily remained at Pyongyang to destroy communication
facilities in order to prevent their use by the enemy. On 3 December
1950, while preparing to evacuate his detachment, his convoy was bombed
and strafed by the enemy and eight of ten trucks were immobilized. When
a nearby ambulance caught fire and was knocked into a gasoline dump,
Major Conatser, realizing the danger of explosion, and with total
disregard for personal safety, rushed to the vehicle and removed it from
the area. Major Conatser further exposed himself to danger by entering
an abandoned ordnance depot and removing parts from bobby-trapped
vehicles, enabling his men to quickly repair six vehicles and safely
evacuate themselves. The exceptional courage and selfless devotion to
duty displayed by Major Conatser were in keeping with the highest
traditions of the military service, and reflected great credit upon
himself, the Far East Air Forces, and the United States Air Force.
Headquarters, Far East Air Forces,
General Orders No. 228 (May 10,1952)
COREY, JOHNNY F.
Citation:
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the
Silver Star Medal to Johnny F. Corey, First Lieutenant, U.S. Air Force,
for himself by gallantry in action on 26 November 1950 while flying on a
pre-briefed mission over enemy territory in Korea. While flying as an
observer on an unarmed T-6 type aircraft, Lieutenant Corey heard a plea
for assistance from an injured forward ground controller who was
completely surrounded by a large number of enemy troops. Lieutenant
Corey immediately proceeded to the area from which the signal had
emanated. However, due to excessive smoke and haze, visibility was
greatly restricted and only through exceptional alertness did he succeed
in locating the injured man near an unfinished airstrip. When the
aircraft landed, Lieutenant Corey, in the face of intense enemy fire,
quickly helped the wounded man aboard the aircraft. By the time the
rescue was completed, enemy forces were rapidly closing in from all
directions, concentrating their fire on the aircraft and its occupants.
By his decisive and valorous action, Lieutenant Corey saved the life of
a member of the United Nations Forces. His unfailing courage under fire,
conspicuous gallantry and unswerving devotion to duty were in keeping
with the highest traditions of the service and reflected great credit
upon himself, the United Nations Forces and the United States Air Force.
Headquarters, Far East Air Forces,
General Orders No. 127 (March 28,1951)
ENYART, JOHN W.
Citation:
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the
Silver Star Medal to John W. Enyart, First Lieutenant, U.S. Air Force,
for gallantry in action against the enemy on 26 November 1950. While
piloting an unarmed T-6 type aircraft on reconnaissance over enemy
territory in the vicinity of Tokchon, Korea, Lieutenant Enyart received
an emergency call for air evacuation of a United Nations Ground
Controller and his party who were completely surrounded by a superior
number of enemy troops. Though visibility was greatly restricted by haze
and smoke, and identification was difficult, Lieutenant Enyart
skillfully directed a number of fighter type aircraft to the spot. These
planes succeeded in temporarily halting the enemy's advance. In response
to a plea from the Ground Controller that an Air Evacuation Rescue Team
be sent immediately to the area, Lieutenant Enyart, with complete
disregard for his personal safety, landed his aircraft on a hazardous
dirt strip located at the bottom of a steep valley. Exposed to heavy
ground fire from the enemy, he successfully evacuated one member of the
United Nations Forces, and immediately prepared to return for another.
Despite almost zero visibility, and at great risk of his own life,
Lieutenant Enyart approached the strip a second time but was prevented
from landing by the enemy who had occupied it. The courage displayed by
Lieutenant Enyart in the face of great danger was in keeping with the
highest traditions of the service, and reflected great credit upon
himself, the Far East Air Forces, and the United States Air Force.
Headquarters, Far East Air Forces,
General Orders No. 105 (March 12, 1951)
FORMAN, ROBERT D.
Citation:
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the
Silver Star Medal to Robert D. Forman, Colonel, U.S. Air Force, for
gallantry in action against the enemy at Hagaru-ri, Korea, on 6 December
1950. When the fate of a small airstrip was uncertain, Colonel Forman,
disregarding his personal safety, flew a C-47 to the strip and landed in
the midst of a fierce fight between American troops and the numerically
superior enemy. With only a few hours of daylight left, Colonel Forman
personally directed the aerial evacuation which successfully removed all
battle casualties from the strip. When it became clear that the field
was no longer tenable, Colonel Forman dispatched all other C-47s and
prepared to leave in his own. At this moment, with darkness fast
approaching, Colonel Forman received a message from a radio jeep that
there was one more critically wounded United States Marine in desperate
need of aerial evacuation. Colonel Forman waited an hour, while the
enemy closed in on the field. The battle casualty was finally placed
aboard his plane and he made an after dark take-off in the face of
strong enemy fire. The leadership, courage, and outstanding heroism
displayed by Colonel Forman on this occasion reflect great credit upon
himself and the United States Air Force.
JAMES, CARROLL L.
Citation:
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the
Silver Star Medal to Carroll L. James, First Lieutenant, U.S. Air Force,
for exceptional gallantry in action on 26 November 1950. While piloting
an unarmed T-6 type aircraft on a pre-briefed mission over enemy
territory, Lieutenant James heard a plea for help from an injure forward
ground controller who was surrounded by a large number of enemy troops.
Because of the intense smoke and haze, the ground was barely visible,
and only through exceptional alertness did he and his observer succeed
in locating the man near an unfinished airstrip. Displaying remarkable
courage, and completely disregarding his own safety, Lieutenant James
landed the plane despite continuous enemy rifle fire. By the time he had
rescued the wounded controller, enemy forces were pouring in from all
directions, concentrating their fire on the aircraft. As the plane
became airborne, the enemy was in complete control of the field. By his
superior flying skill and decisive action, Lieutenant James saved the
life of a member of the United Nations forces. His unfailing courage
under fire, his conspicuous gallantry and his unswerving devotion to
duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the service and
reflect great credit upon Lieutenant James, the Far East Air Forces, and
the United States Air Force.
Headquarters, Far East Air Forces,
General Orders No. 80 (March 1, 1951)
KING, WALTER S.
Citation:
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the
Silver Star Medal to Walter S. King, Major, U.S. Air Force, for
exceptional gallantry in action on 15 October 1950 while piloting a B-26
attack bomber on a night intruder mission over enemy-held territory in
Korea. On that night, Major King exhibited superb courage in demolishing
a convoy which was heavily defended by small arms, automatic weapons and
antiaircraft fire. In his initial attack, Major King destroyed five
vehicles, despite the fact that the tail section of his plane was
severely damaged by enemy action. In the face of continued intense enemy
fire, Major King again attacked the convoy, destroying two more
vehicles. As a result of damage sustained to his plane on this second
attack, gasoline was sprayed over Major King's aircraft, and a serious
fire hazard was created. Regardless of the dangers involved, Major King
attacked the convoy a third time, demolishing the remaining vehicles. As
he was leaving this scene of destruction, Major King observed a
locomotive on a railroad track. Although his seriously damaged bomber
was difficult to control, and the fuel supply was dangerously low, Major
King destroyed the train was a direct bomb hit before proceeding to an
air base for an emergency landing. The magnificent courage, relentless
determination, and unswerving devotion to duty displayed by Major King
on this occasion were in keeping with the highest traditions of the
service and reflect great credit upon himself, the Far East Air Forces,
and the United States Air Force.
Headquarters, Far East Air Forces,
General Orders No. 80 (March 1, 1951)
MATTES, GEORGE J.
Citation:
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the
Silver Star Medal to George J. Mattes, Captain, U.S. Air Force, for
gallantry in action against an enemy on 30 August 1950 while flying as
pilot of an unarmed T-6 type aircraft over enemy territory in the
vicinity of Chukchon-ni, Korea. Captain (then First Lieutenant) Mattes,
while on a visual reconnaissance flight deep in enemy territory,
observed 22 camouflaged enemy vehicles, two of which were tanks,
situated in patches of foliage in a dry river bed, and numerous supplies
hidden in an orchard. Although he was being fired upon by an enemy 20
millimeter anti- aircraft battery and 50 caliber machine guns, Captain
Mattes, with complete disregard for his own safety, personally directed
three friendly fighter strikes against these targets which resulted in
the destruction of the anti-aircraft battery. By his professional skill,
aggressiveness, courage under fire, and devotion to duty, Captain Mattes
upheld the highest traditions of the military service, thus reflecting
great credit upon himself, the United Nations' Forces, and the United
States Air Force.
MOORE, HAROLD W.
Citation:
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the
Silver Star Medal to Harold W. Moore, First Lieutenant, U.S. Air Force,
for gallantry in action on 2 February 1951 for rescuing a pilot and
observer from behind enemy-held positions near Sangch'angbong-ni, Korea.
Piloting an unarmed, highly vulnerable H-5 type aircraft, First
Lieutenant Moore flew thirty miles behind enemy lines to rescue the two
airmen who were hemmed in by cross fire from machine guns and small
arms. While friendly fighter strafed the area to minimize enemy ground
attack, Lieutenant Moore landed the helicopter. Demonstrating complete
disregard for his safety, he remained at the controls despite the heavy
fire which was being directed at him. As the downed airmen crawled
toward the helicopter, four bullets struck the aircraft and missed
Lieutenant Moore's head by inches. Immediately after the airmen boarded
the helicopter, Lieutenant Moore took off. At this time the aircraft was
again hit by enemy fire, and after striking the rotor blade, the bullet
penetrated the pylon going into the fan assembly. By his heroic act,
Lieutenant Moore saved the lives of two Air Force personnel. His
remarkable courage while under enemy attack was in keeping with the
highest traditions of the service and reflected great credit upon
himself, the Far East Air Forces, and the United States Air Force.
Headquarters, Far East Air Forces,
General Orders No. 146 (April 8, 1951)
PARK, PAUL L.
Citation:
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the
Silver Star Medal to Paul L. Park, Captain, U.S. Air Force, for
gallantry in action against the enemy on 24 January 1951. On this date,
Captain Park displayed conspicuous courage by rescuing a downed pilot
and observer from behind enemy-held lines near Anyang-ni, Korea.
Piloting an unarmed helicopter, Captain Park flew twenty-five miles
behind enemy- held lines fully aware of the fact that a company of enemy
troops had the trapped pilot and observer pinned down by small arms
fire. When he arrived at the pick-up point, Captain Park directed
fighter aircraft to strafe the area, then proceeded to land the
helicopter despite intense enemy small arms fire. As the downed pilot
and observer ran toward the waiting helicopter, Captain Park was under
constant enemy fire. The barrage increased during the take-off,
whereupon Captain Park reported the positions of the enemy troops to the
fighter aircraft permitting then to close in and inflict heavy
casualties on the enemy. Captain Park's outstanding performance was in
keeping with the highest traditions of the service. His bravery saved
the lives of two United States Air Force men, and reflected great credit
upon himself, the Far East Air Forces, and the United States Air Force.
Headquarters, Far East Air Forces,
General Orders No. 139 (April 7, 1951)
ROGERS, JOSEPH W.
Citation:
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the
Silver Star Medal to Joseph W. Rogers, Captain, U.S. Air Force, for
gallantry in action against the enemy on 8 October 1950 while flying a
combat mission in support of United Nations forces in the Myongad-dong
area, Korea. Volunteering to aid British troops hemmed in by numerically
superior enemy forces in that location, Captain (then First Lieutenant)
Rogers led a formation of F-51 fighter aircraft to the target under a
ragged 700 foot ceiling. Flying in and out of clouds, below the level of
surrounding terrain and employing exceptional navigational and
instrument flying ability, he performed a series of 360 degree turns to
make repeated attacks. Despite heavy antiaircraft fire, he continued
striking the enemy with napalm, rockets and 50 caliber machine gun fire
with such remarkable success that the encircled United Nations troops
were able to withdraw intact. The conspicuous gallantry displayed by
Captain Rogers in the performance of an extremely hazardous mission was
in keeping with the highest traditions of the service and reflected
great credit upon himself, the Far East Air Forces, and the United
States Air Force.
Headquarters, Far East Air Forces,
General Orders No. 146 (April 8, 1951)
SHAWE, HAMILTON B.
Citation:
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the
Silver Star Medal to Hamilton B. Shawe, First Lieutenant, U.S. Air
Force, for gallantry in action against an enemy of the United States. On
1 October 1950, while serving as a pilot of the 8th Tactical
Reconnaissance Squadron, First Lieutenant Shawe displayed an exceptional
degree of flying skill, courage and competence. Alone in an unarmed
reconnaissance aircraft, he flew 425 miles to his target, the port of
Wonsan in Korea. Upon reaching his objective he made repeated
photographic runs at a dangerously low altitude over the strongly
defended beach and port area. In spite of his aircraft being repeatedly
hit by enemy ground fire, Lieutenant Shawe continued making passes until
his mission of nine runs was completed. Information gained from the
excellent photographs taken by Lieutenant Shawe proved invaluable to the
United Nations forces in their subsequent planning for the landing at
Wonsan. Lieutenant Shawe's conspicuous gallantry and outstanding skill
were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and
reflect great credit upon himself, the Far East Air Forces and the
United States Air Force.
Headquarters, Far East Air Forces,
General Orders No. 73 (February 25, 1951)
VAN BOVEN, PAUL W.
Citation:
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the
Silver Star Medal to Paul W. Van Boven, First Lieutenant, U.S. Air
Force, for gallantry in action against the enemy on 4 September 1950
while he was performing duty in Korea as a member of the THIRD Rescue
Squadron. Although fully aware of the dangers involved, Lieutenant Van
Boven departed in an unarmed helicopter to rescue a pilot who had bailed
out of a damaged aircraft in enemy territory. Demonstrating remarkable
courage, Lieutenant Van Boven flew his helicopter several miles behind
enemy lines and exposed himself to intense ground fire to accomplish his
mission. He located the downed officer in an open rice paddy surrounded
by attacking enemy forces, but unfavorable ground conditions did not
permit a landing. Despite continuous enemy fire, Lieutenant Van Boven
maneuvered the helicopter close to the ground until the rescue was
completed. In performing this heroic deed, Lieutenant Van Boven
voluntarily risked his life to save an American pilot. His valorous
action was in keeping with the highest traditions of the service and
reflected great credit upon himself, the Far East Air Forces, and the
United States Air Force.
Headquarters, Far East Air Forces,
General Orders No. 129 (March 29, 1951)
WOLFE, CHARLES F.
Citation:
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the
Silver Star Medal to Charles F. Wolfe, Captain, U.S. Air Force, for
gallantry in action against an enemy of the United States as Pilot of a
B-26 attack bomber, 13th Bombardment Squadron, 3d Bombardment Group, on
the night of 15 February 1952. Captain Wolfe's primary mission was to
employ and evaluate new tactics designed to increase the effectiveness
of night interdiction. Between Namsi-dong and Sonch'on, Korea, he
pressed repeated bombing and strafing attacks under flares dropped to
illuminate a moving train. Despite accurate anti-aircraft fire which
inflicted thirty-five holes in his aircraft, he continued his attacks at
extremely low altitude in order to accurately evaluate his tactics.
Disregarding personal safety, and extremely heavy battle damage, Captain
Wolfe capably demonstrated the destructive power of his aircraft's
armament by destroying a live locomotive, nine boxcars and two
anti-aircraft batteries. Captain Wolfe's gallant action and skillful
airmanship were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military
service and reflected great credit upon himself, the Far East Air
Forces, and the United States Air Force.
Headquarters, Far East Air Forces,
General Orders No. 214 (May 1, 1952)
