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Meyer, John Charles (USAF)

Date of birth:
April 3rd, 1919 (Brooklyn/New York, United States)
Date of death:
December 2nd, 1975
Buried on:
Arlington National Cemetery
Plot: 30. Grave: 323-B-LH.
Nationality:
American (1776 - present, Republic)

Biography

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
2nd Lieutenant
Awarded on:
July 1940
Pilot Wing
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Major
Awarded on:
October 5th, 1943

Headquarters, VIII Fighter Command, General Orders No. 35
Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Major
Unit:
487th Fighter Squadron, 352nd Fighter Group, U.S. Army Air Forces
Awarded on:
April 10th, 1944
"For gallantry in action while serving as Pilot of a fighter airplane of the 352d Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, while leading his Fighter Squadron on fifty-two fighter sweeps and bomber escort missions over enemy occupied Europe. Major Meyer has maintained the highest type of combat efficiency among the members of his unit and on all occasions, the Squadron, under his inspiring leadership, has performed the duties entrusted to it in a superior manner. During the entire period of his command, the impressive total of twenty-seven aircraft destroyed, two probably destroyed and six damaged has been amassed while losses within the unit have been held to a minimum. The gallantry, untiring effort in training and combat skill displayed by Major Meyer have been a constant inspiration to all serving under him."

Headquarters, 8th Air Force, General Orders No. 263 (April 10, 1944)
Silver Star Medal (SSM)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Major
Unit:
487th Fighter Squadron, 352nd Fighter Group, U.S. Army Air Forces
Awarded on:
February 2nd, 1944
Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)
"For extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight. Major Meyer has accomplished thirty fighter combat missions or the equivalent thereof, over enemy occupied Continental Europe during World War II, and has destroyed two enemy airplanes. The skillful and zealous manner in which Major Meyer has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Air Force of the United States."

Headquarters, VIII Fighter Command, General Orders No. 1
Received as an Oak Leaf Cluster for on the ribbon of his first DFC.
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Lieutenant Colonel
Unit:
487th Fighter Squadron, 352nd Fighter Group, U.S. Army Air Forces
Awarded on:
June 8th, 1944
Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)
"For extraordinary achievement and heroism in the destruction of five enemy airplanes in aerial combat over enemy occupied Continental Europe during World War II. The skillful and zealous manner in which Lieutenant Colonel Meyer has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States."

Headquarters, VIII Fighter Command, General Orders No. 47

Received as second Oak Leaf Cluster for on the ribbon of his first DFC.

Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Lieutenant Colonel
Unit:
487th Fighter Squadron, 352nd Fighter Group, U.S. Army Air Forces
Awarded on:
July 13th, 1944
Distinguished Service Cross (DSC)
"For extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-15 Fighter Airplane in the 487th Fighter Squadron, 352d Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces on 8 May 1944, during an air mission over Germany. On this date, Lieutenant Colonel Meyer led a flight of eight fighters in an attack against greatly superior numbers of enemy fighters trying to intercept a friendly bomber formation. The enemy flight was dispersed. During the engagement Lieutenant Colonel Meyer became separated from his flight except for one wingman and lost considerable altitude. While regaining altitude he observed another flight of fifteen more enemy fighters flying toward the bombers. Accompanied only by his wingman, he unhesitatingly attacked the formation with utter disregard of the odds against him, destroyed two enemy fighters and broke up the formation. Before setting course for home Lieutenant Colonel Meyer attacked and destroyed another enemy fighter. The courage and determination to destroy the enemy displayed by Lieutenant Colonel Meyer upon this occasion reflect highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States."

Headquarters, U.S. Strategic Forces in Europe, General Orders No. 34
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Lieutenant Colonel
Unit:
487th Fighter Squadron, 352nd Fighter Group, U.S. Army Air Forces
Awarded on:
December 8th, 1944
Distinguished Service Cross (DSC)
"For extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-51 Fighter Airplane in the 487th Fighter Squadron, 352d Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces on 11 September 1944. On this date, Lieutenant Colonel Meyer was leading his squadron of P-51 fighters and was proceeding to rendezvous with a task force of heavy bombers, when he observed approximately thirty hostile aircraft forming up near the bomber track. He promptly led his squadron in an attack on the enemy formation and succeeded in scattering it into ones and twos. With the enemy separated, his squadron proceeded to engage them with great tenacity. Lieutenant Colonel Meyer sent one enemy plane crashing to the ground and found himself separated entirely from his squadron. At this time he observed about fifteen enemy aircraft preparing to engage the bombers. Without regard to the superior enemy numbers, he unhesitatingly attacked the enemy formation without support of any kind, and destroyed three of them. The formation was dispersed and any possible attack on the bombers frustrated. The outstanding heroism and devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Colonel Meyer on this occasion are in keeping with the highest traditions of the Armed Forces of the United States."

Received as an Oak Leaf Cluster for on the ribbon of his first DSC.
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Lieutenant Colonel
Unit:
Deputy Commander, HQ, 352nd Fighter Group, U.S. Army Air Forces
Awarded on:
April 10th, 1945
Distinguished Service Cross (DSC)
"For extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-51 Fighter Airplane and as Deputy Commander, 352d Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces on 1 January 1945. On this date, to save the airfield and ground personnel from extensive damage by a surprise enemy strafing attack, Colonel Meyer unhesitatingly led his squadron off the field in the face of an attacking force of approximately fifty hostile fighters, and engaged the enemy as they initiated their first strafing run. Despite the enemy's great tactical advantage in numbers and position, and although his own aircraft was burdened with loaded wing tanks and its maneuverability greatly reduced, Colonel Meyer viciously engaged the enemy formation, personally destroying two of their aircraft. His valiant action in the face of extreme danger unquestionably saved the airfield from great damage. The extraordinary heroism and complete disregard for his personal safety displayed by Colonel Meyer on this occasion reflect highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States."

Headquarters, U.S. Strategic Forces in Europe, General Orders No. 34

Received as a second Oak Leaf CLuster for on the ribbon of his first DSC.
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Lieutenant Colonel
Unit:
487th Fighter Squadron, 352nd Fighter Group, U.S. Army Air Forces
Awarded on:
1945
Silver Star Medal (SSM)

Headquarters, 8th Air Force, General Orders No. 9

Received as an Oak Leaf CLuster for on the ribbon of his first Silver Star.
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Lieutenant Colonel
"For extraordinary achievement and heroism in the destruction of five enemy airplanes in aerial combat over enemy occupied Continental Europe during World War II. The skillful and zealous manner in which Lieutenant Colonel Meyer has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States."

Received as a third Oak Leaf Cluster for on the ribbon of his first DFC
Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Lieutenant Colonel
"For extraordinary achievement and heroism in the destruction of three enemy airplanes in aerial combat over enemy occupied Continental Europe during World War II. The skillful and zealous manner in which Lieutenant Colonel Meyer has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States."

Received as a fourth Oak Leaf Cluster for on the ribbon of his first DFC
Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Lieutenant Colonel

Received as a Silver Oak Leaf Cluster (6th DFC) for on the ribbon of his first DFC
Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)
Period:
Korean War (1950-1953)
Rank:
Colonel

Received as a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster (7th DFC) for on the ribbon of his first DFC
Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Lieutenant General
Awarded on:
July 25th, 1969
"For exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States from February 1966 to July 1969. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Meyer reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force."

Department of the Air Force, Special Order GB-506
Distinguished Service Medal - Air Force
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
General
Awarded on:
July 25th, 1969
"For exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States from 1 August 1969 to 30 April 1972. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Meyer reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force."

Received as a Oak Leaf Cluster for on the ribbon of his first DSM
Distinguished Service Medal - Air Force
Rank:
Lieutenant General
Legion of Merit - US Military
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Lieutenant Colonel

With palm
Croix de Guerre (1939-1945)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Lieutenant Colonel

With palm
Croix de Guerre 1940

Sources

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