AWARDS ARE MADE FOR ACTIONS IN ASSAM RAIDS

CITATION: "On October 25, 1942, Brigadier General Haynes personally led, as pilot, a bombing raid by 12 American medium bombers against the Japanese-held port of Hong Kong, China. This mission was successfully completed over one of the best protected enemy strongholds in the Far East, and in the face of heavy anti-aircraft fire as well as aerial attack by numerically superior enemy aircraft. Notwithstanding the concentration of fire upon his own aircraft, the lead ship, by enemy fighters and ground batteries, General Haynes led his formation to the target area with such skill and courage that the 12 bombers were enabled to completely cover the target area with seventy-two 500-pound bombs, thus accomplishing a maximum of destruction to enemy installations. The formation was attacked by a superior number of enemy fighters directly over the target. General Haynes, instead of avoiding the enemy, turned his aircraft and made a head-on attack on the Japanese fighters. So coolly and courageously did he maneuver his bomber that his top gunner was able to shoot down two enemy aircraft confirmed. General Haynes' disregard for personal safety, and his skill and extraordinary heroism under fire were an example to every officer and man on this front, and reflect great credit upon the military forces of the United States. Home Address: City Court Apartments, Garden City, New York."

CITATION: "On October 25, 1942, Lieutenant Colonel Herbert Morgan flew as bombardier in the lead ship when a formation of 12 American medium bombers attacked one of the best defended Japanese strongholds in the Far East - Hong Kong, China. In the face of highly concentrated anti-aircraft fire and attacks by enemy fighters, Lieutenant Colonel Morgan coolly and accurately directed his own and the following ships to the target area, which our 12 ships completely covered with seventy-two 500-pound bombs. Less than eight hours after this action, Colonel Morgan led a flight of three medium bombers in a night mission against White Cloud Airdrome at Canton, China. Finding the primary target covered with fog, he led his ships successfully through a screen of seven enemy night fighters and bombed other strategic points in the Canton area. Thus, in one day, Lieutenant Colonel Morgan acted as lead bombardier in the daylight mission against Hong Kong, and as Flight Commander of the night mission against Canton. His cool and extraordinary heroism under concentrated enemy attack on a daylight mission and daring leadership on a night mission - the same day - both of which were beyond the call of his duty as a staff officer - were an inspiration to the entire Bomber Unit, and reflects great credit upon the military forces of the United States. Home address: 245 Melwood Street, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania."

Pursuant to the authority contained in Army Regulations 600-45, War Department, Washington, D.C., August 8, 1932, the Silver Star, for gallantry in action, is awarded the following named officers and men:

Homer L. Sanders, 017412, Colonel, Air Corps, Commanding, *** Fighter Group. CITATION: "On October 25, 1942, in Assam, India, Colonel Sanders had just taken off on a patrol with Captain Charles W. Dunning before the first surprise attack by the Japanese on the area by fifty heavy bombers and forty-five fighter aircraft. Despite the violence of the attack and the overwhelming numerical superiority of the enemy, Colonel Sanders and Captain Dunning fought gallantly until Captain Dunning fell before the attack. Colonel Sanders then, with extraordinary heroism, continued fighting alone and for several minutes was the only aircraft in the air against the total enemy force of ninety-five planes. After the raid, as the enemy withdrew, Colonel Sanders followed one group of fighters for a hundred miles, attacked many times, and shot down two enemy fighters, both confirmed. Home address: Tucumcari, New Mexico."

Charles W. Dunning, Captain, Air Corps, *** Fighter Group. (Posthumous award) CITATION: "On October 25, 1942, in Assam, India, captain Dunning was on a patrol with his Group Commander when their airdrome and satellite fields were attacked by a force of fifty bombers and forty-five fighters. While their supporting fighters, caught on the ground by the sudden attack, were attempting to get into action, Captain Dunning and Colonel Sanders bore the brunt of the attack. During this time, despite great odds, Captain Dunning, with great courage and skill, and with utter disregard of his own safety, attacked vastly superior forces of the enemy again and again until he fell before the guns of an overwhelming number of enemy fighters. While his loss was keenly felt by all officers and enlisted men of the *** Fighter Group, his courage and determination to destroy the enemy will forever be an inspiration to those who knew him. Next of kin: Mrs. Dorothy Dunning (wife), 10725 Ashton Avenue, W. Los Angeles, California."

Edward M. Nollmeyer, First Lieutenant, Air Corps, *** Fighter Group. CITATION: "On October 25, 1942, in Assam, India, he took the air upon receiving the warning of approaching enemy planes. This force consisted of over twenty-five fighter type aircraft. At the close of the ensuing action he found himself alone against the entire flight of enemy planes. Disregarding the odds against him, and the extreme personal danger, he attacked with great courage the entire group, and succeeded in bringing down one plane in flames. Home address: 1221 Grand Avenue, Everett, Washington."

Kermit C. Hynds, Second Lieutenant, Air Corps, *** Fighter Group. CITATION: "On October 25, 1942, in Assam, India, he was called upon to defend his base, in company with seven other fighter pilots, against an enemy attack of thirty-six bombers and twelve fighters. In this, his first contact with the enemy, he displayed great courage and skill and fighting with extreme perseverance, he succeeded in destroying one enemy bomber and a Zero fighter. Home address: Austin, Texas."

William R. Rodgers, Second Lieutenant, Air Corps, *** Fighter Group. CITATION: "On October 25, 1942, in Assam, India, he took the air upon receiving the warning of approaching enemy planes, which materialized into a flight of thirty-six heavy bombers and thirteen Zero fighters. Despite the overwhelming odds and the dangers to be encountered from the enemy protective fighters, with great courage he made a single-handed attack on a flight of sixteen enemy bombers, inflicting severe damage on three. Home Address: Rolling Fork, Mississippi."

Sheldon H. Nutter, Second Lieutenant, Coast Artillery Corps, *** CA (AA) Btry., AW (Sep.). CITATION: "On October 25, 1942, in Assam, India, during a violent aerial attack he remained at his post, which was situated in a tree, in an area heavily attacked, and with coolness and courage directed the fire of his battery from that post. A withdrawal to a safer position was his prerogative, but he remained that he might better direct the fire of his battery. Home address: 2834 Hillegrass Avenue, Berkeley, California."

Arthur Webber, Staff Sergeant, Air Corps, *** Fighter Group. CITATION: "On October 25, 1942, in Assam, India, during a violent aerial attack of eighteen Japanese bombers and fifteen Zero fighters, he courageously assisted his pilot in an attempt to get his fighter aircraft started and into the air. Regardless of extreme personal danger, due to the continuous bombardment and machine gunning, Sergeant Webber continued in his attempt until the plane burst into flame from incendiaries and had to be abandoned. Home Address: Willamina, Oregon."

Calvin W. Croom, Sergeant, Air Corps, *** Fighter Group. CITATION: "On October 25, 1942, in Assam, India, during a violent aerial attack of eighteen Japanese bombers and fifteen Zero fighters, he courageously assisted his pilot in an attempt to get his fighter aircraft started and into the air. Regardless of extreme personal danger, due to the continuous bombardment and machine gunning, Sergeant Croom continued in his attempt until an exploding bomb blew off the wing of the plane and it had to be abandoned. Home address: Pixley, California."

Wiley O. Cart, Private, Air Corps, *** Fighter Group. CITATION: "On October 25, 1942, Private Cart, during a violent strafing attack on an airdrome is Assam, India, took charge of and operated a .30 caliber machine gun which he and others had previously put in commission. During this attack, which was made by eighteen flying bombers, he was observed by several witnesses to have killed the forward observer in one of these. He later directed his fire at an attacking Zero fighter which was last observed smoking and diving to the ground. His extreme courage and coolness under fire in this initial attack sets a high standard for others to emulate. Home address: Clifftop, West Virginia."

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