Roush, Virgil B.
- Date of birth:
- February 2nd, 1924 (Bureau County/Illinois, United States)
- Date of death:
- January 7th, 2012 (Sun City West/Arizona, United States)
- Service number:
- 01 998 895
- Nationality:
- American (1776 - present, Republic)
Biography
Virgil B. Roush initially enlisted in the regular Army November 21st, 1942. After basic training was assigned to Field Artillery Training. While in this training he applied for flight training in the Army Air Corps. After passing all the tests and physical he was discharged from the regular Army on March 11th, 1944 and re-enlisted in the Army Air Corps March 12th, 1944. He left for the European Theater August 23rd, 1944 and arrived on September 7th, 1944 and stationed in Italy. He flew a total of 83 missions, flying the P-47 Thunderbolt with the 345th Fighter Fighter Group, 350th Fighter Squadron, 12th Air Force reaching the rank of 1st Leiutenant. After the War ended he shipped out of Italy for the United States August 1st, 1945 and arrived August 21st, 1945. He flew many Air shows flying the P-47 until his his voluntary honorable discharge from active duty October 10th, 1946 to take care of and support his 3 year old Son and 6 month old Daughter. He was up for Captain promotion at that time. He was still in the Air Force Reserve when his classification call up eligibiliy class was lowered January 26th, 1953 due to the fact the Air Force requested him to go back to active duty to fly jets in the Korean War. He requested not to go back on active duty now having 4 Children and Wife with great responsiblty. The Air Force agreed and lowered his eligiblity status. He was still in the reserves in a voluteer status and until October 8, 1962 when he was Honorably discharged from the USAF reserve roster.
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Air Medal (AM)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- 2nd Lieutenant
- Unit:
- 345th Fighter Squadron, 350th Fighter Group, U.S. Army Air Forces
- Awarded on:
- March 26th, 1945
"For meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight as pilot of a P-47 type aircraft. On 27 January 1945, Lt. Roush flew in an eight aircraft formation which dive-bomberd a railroad bridge southeast of Piacenza, Italy. After flying through a solid overcast, the bridge was successfully located and Lt Roush dived to score direct hits on the bridge, rendering it impassable. He then continued, in spite of intense anti-aircraft fire, to press home repeated strafing attacks which resulted in the destruction of one motor vehicle and damage to twenty oil and box cars and a warehouse, as well as the flaming of an oil pipeline. Lt. Roush's steadfast devotion to duty and proficiency in combat reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.
General Orders No.28, XXII Tactical Air Command (26 March 1945).
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- 2nd Lieutenant
- Unit:
- 345th Fighter Squadron, 350th Fighter Group, U.S. Army Air Forces
- Awarded on:
- April 2nd, 1945
Citation:
"For meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight as pilot of a P-47 type aircraft. On 27 February 1945, Lt Roush led four-aircraft in an eight aircraft formation ordered to dive-bomb the railroad diversion at Casara, Italy. Diving in attack, Lt Roush led his flight through accurate anti-aircraft fire which damaged both wings of his aircraft, and scored a direct hit which cut the diversion. He then flew his crippled plane safely to base. Lt Roush has displayed keen aggressiveness and fortitude, and his professional skill and steadfast devotion to duty reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States."
Second Air Medal received in the form of a bronze oak leaf cluster to be worn on the ribbon of the first Air Medal.
General Orders No.32, XXII Tactical Air Command (2 April 1945).
"For meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight as pilot of a P-47 type aircraft. On 27 February 1945, Lt Roush led four-aircraft in an eight aircraft formation ordered to dive-bomb the railroad diversion at Casara, Italy. Diving in attack, Lt Roush led his flight through accurate anti-aircraft fire which damaged both wings of his aircraft, and scored a direct hit which cut the diversion. He then flew his crippled plane safely to base. Lt Roush has displayed keen aggressiveness and fortitude, and his professional skill and steadfast devotion to duty reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States."
Second Air Medal received in the form of a bronze oak leaf cluster to be worn on the ribbon of the first Air Medal.
General Orders No.32, XXII Tactical Air Command (2 April 1945).
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- 2nd Lieutenant
- Unit:
- 345th Fighter Squadron, 350th Fighter Group, U.S. Army Air Forces
- Awarded on:
- April 27th, 1945
Citation:
"For meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight as pilot of a P-47 type aircraft. On 24 March 1945, Lt. Roush flew in an eight aircraft formation attacking the railroad bridge at San Michele, Italy. By diving to minimum altitude in the face of exeedingly accurate anti-aircraft fire, Lt. Roush was able to crater the western approach to the bridge. In a series of strafing attacks on a passenger train of thirteen cars, Lt. Roush severely damaged the locomotive and the combined efforts of the flight left all the cars damaged or burning. Though the wing of his plane had been hit by flak, Lt. Roush assumed leadership of the flight when the flight leader was shot down and led it on a subsequent strafing attack on a marshalling yards in which thirty loaded railroad cars were severely damaged. His personal courage and devotion to duty reflect credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States."
Third Air Medal received in the form of a second bronze oak leaf cluster to be worn on the ribbon of the first Air Medal.
General Orders No.44, XXII Tactical Air Command (27 April 1945).
"For meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight as pilot of a P-47 type aircraft. On 24 March 1945, Lt. Roush flew in an eight aircraft formation attacking the railroad bridge at San Michele, Italy. By diving to minimum altitude in the face of exeedingly accurate anti-aircraft fire, Lt. Roush was able to crater the western approach to the bridge. In a series of strafing attacks on a passenger train of thirteen cars, Lt. Roush severely damaged the locomotive and the combined efforts of the flight left all the cars damaged or burning. Though the wing of his plane had been hit by flak, Lt. Roush assumed leadership of the flight when the flight leader was shot down and led it on a subsequent strafing attack on a marshalling yards in which thirty loaded railroad cars were severely damaged. His personal courage and devotion to duty reflect credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States."
Third Air Medal received in the form of a second bronze oak leaf cluster to be worn on the ribbon of the first Air Medal.
General Orders No.44, XXII Tactical Air Command (27 April 1945).
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- 2nd Lieutenant
- Unit:
- 345th Fighter Squadron, 350th Fighter Group, U.S. Army Air Forces
- Awarded on:
- May 5th, 1945
Citation:
"For meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight as pilot of a P-47 type aircraft. On 8 april 1945, Lt. Roush flew in an eight-aircraft formation ordered to dive-bomb the railroad bridge at Ora, Italy. Diving his aircraft through a protective curtain of flak, Lt. Roush scored a direct hit on the north approach which was followed by a large explosion, causing the area to flash wildly and scattering debris in all directions. The flying skill and devotion to duty of Lt. Roush reflect credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States."
Fourth Air Medal received in the form of a third bronze oak leaf cluster to be worn on the ribbon of the first Air Medal.
General Orders No.48, XXII Tactical Air Command (5 May 1945).
"For meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight as pilot of a P-47 type aircraft. On 8 april 1945, Lt. Roush flew in an eight-aircraft formation ordered to dive-bomb the railroad bridge at Ora, Italy. Diving his aircraft through a protective curtain of flak, Lt. Roush scored a direct hit on the north approach which was followed by a large explosion, causing the area to flash wildly and scattering debris in all directions. The flying skill and devotion to duty of Lt. Roush reflect credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States."
Fourth Air Medal received in the form of a third bronze oak leaf cluster to be worn on the ribbon of the first Air Medal.
General Orders No.48, XXII Tactical Air Command (5 May 1945).
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- 2nd Lieutenant
- Unit:
- 345th Fighter Squadron, 350th Fighter Group, U.S. Army Air Forces
- Awarded on:
- May 25th, 1945
Citation:
"For meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight as pilot of a P-47 type aircraft. On 21 April 1945, Lt. Roush led a two-aircraft formation on armed reconnaissance of the Central Po Valley. Sweeping low over the German escape routes leading north from Modena, Lt. roush led his wingman on repeated strafing attacks against enemy convoys. In pressing his attack on a convoy near Modena, Lt. Roush suffered direct hits to his aircraft from intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire while he was engaged in the destruction of a Volkswagen and the damaging of two motor transports. Despite the damage to his aircraft, Lt. Roush resolutely continued his attacks, destroying one more motor transport and two horse drawn vehicles and severely damaging still another motor transport. Lt. Roush's combat skill and devotion to duty reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States."
Fifth Air Medal received in the form of a fourth bronze oak leaf cluster to be worn on the ribbon of the first Air Medal.
General Orders No.57, XXII Tactical Air Command (25 May 1945).
"For meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight as pilot of a P-47 type aircraft. On 21 April 1945, Lt. Roush led a two-aircraft formation on armed reconnaissance of the Central Po Valley. Sweeping low over the German escape routes leading north from Modena, Lt. roush led his wingman on repeated strafing attacks against enemy convoys. In pressing his attack on a convoy near Modena, Lt. Roush suffered direct hits to his aircraft from intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire while he was engaged in the destruction of a Volkswagen and the damaging of two motor transports. Despite the damage to his aircraft, Lt. Roush resolutely continued his attacks, destroying one more motor transport and two horse drawn vehicles and severely damaging still another motor transport. Lt. Roush's combat skill and devotion to duty reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States."
Fifth Air Medal received in the form of a fourth bronze oak leaf cluster to be worn on the ribbon of the first Air Medal.
General Orders No.57, XXII Tactical Air Command (25 May 1945).
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- 2nd Lieutenant
- Unit:
- 345th Fighter Squadron, 350th Fighter Group, U.S. Army Air Forces
- Awarded on:
- April 20th, 1945
Citation:
"For extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as pilot of a P-47 type aircraft. On 19 March 1945, Lieutenant Roush flew in a fighter-bomber attack upon an enemy ammunition dump near Milano, Italy. Upon the approach to the target, shell fragments from intense anti-aircraft fire heavily damaged the control cables on his airplane. Courageously maintaining his crippled plane in formation for a precision bomb run, Lieutenant Roush scored two direct hits, destroying one building and damaging another. As he attempted to regain altitude, the strain severed the damaged cables causing his P-47 to fall into a skid. Determinedly remaining at the controls, Lieutenant Roush manouvered the stricken plane into level flight and, skillfully evading continued heavy ground fire, reached friendly territory and effected a safe emergency landing at his base. On many combat missions his outstanding proficiency and steadfast devotion to duty have reflected great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States."
General Orders No.92, 20 April 1945.
"For extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as pilot of a P-47 type aircraft. On 19 March 1945, Lieutenant Roush flew in a fighter-bomber attack upon an enemy ammunition dump near Milano, Italy. Upon the approach to the target, shell fragments from intense anti-aircraft fire heavily damaged the control cables on his airplane. Courageously maintaining his crippled plane in formation for a precision bomb run, Lieutenant Roush scored two direct hits, destroying one building and damaging another. As he attempted to regain altitude, the strain severed the damaged cables causing his P-47 to fall into a skid. Determinedly remaining at the controls, Lieutenant Roush manouvered the stricken plane into level flight and, skillfully evading continued heavy ground fire, reached friendly territory and effected a safe emergency landing at his base. On many combat missions his outstanding proficiency and steadfast devotion to duty have reflected great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States."
General Orders No.92, 20 April 1945.
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- 1st Lieutenant
- Unit:
- 146th AAF BU
- Awarded on:
- October 10th, 1946
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- 2nd Lieutenant
- Unit:
- 345th Fighter Squadron, 350th Fighter Group, U.S. Army Air Forces
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
Received with two bronze campaign stars for "NORTHERN APPENNINES" and "PO VALLEY".
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
Sources
- Photo 1: Gerald H. Roush
- - Family records
- Star Courier
Photo
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