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Able, Johnnie J.

Date of birth:
August 5th, 1923 (Leesville/South Carolina, United States)
Date of death:
December 1st, 1967 (Conway/South Carolina, United States)
Nationality:
American (1776 - present, Republic)

Biography

Sergeant Able was Flight Engineer and a member of the most decorated air crew in history. On this volunteer mission Captain Jay Zeamer (pilot) and navigator Lieutenant Raymond Sarnoski received the Medal of Honor (Sarnoski posthumously.) All seven additional members of the crew were awarded the Distinguished Service Cross. These awards were in addition to several Purple Hearts and numerous other awards to Jay Zeamer's "Eager Beavers" both before this mission, and in subsequent actions.

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Sergeant
Unit:
65th Bombardment Squadron, 43rd Bombardment Group, 5th Air Force, U.S. Army Air Forces
Awarded on:
1943
"For extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Flight Engineer of a B-17 Heavy Bomber in the 65th Bombardment Squadron, 43d Bombardment Group (H), FIFTH Air Force, in aerial action against enemy forces on 16 June 1943, during a Photo-Reconnaissance air mission over Bougainville Island. Sergeant Able was a member of a volunteer bomber crew which undertook an important and dangerous photo mapping mission over the heavily defended enemy base at Buka. Just before the photographing was completed, about twenty enemy fighters attacked. The bomber was extensively damaged and five of the crew were seriously wounded. After a forty-five minute running fight, in which five enemy planes were destroyed and two damaged, the bomber was flown safely to its base five hundred and eighty miles away. Sergeant Able showed admirable skill and determined courage on this voluntary mission, which secured information of great value in subsequent operations. The courage and zealous devotion to duty displayed by Sergeant Able on this occasion have upheld the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 5th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces."

Headquarters, U.S. Army Forces in the Far East, General Orders No. 66
Distinguished Service Cross (DSC)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Sergeant
Unit:
5th Air Force, U.S. Army Air Forces
Awarded on:
1943
Silver Star Medal (SSM)

Headquarters, 5th Air Force, General Orders No. 123

Sources

Photo