Carswell, Horace Seaver "Stump" Jr.

Date of birth:: June 18th, 1916 (Fort Worth/Texas, United States)
Date of death:: October 26th, 1944 (China)
Nationality:: American

Biography

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Distinguished Service Cross (DSC)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Captain
Unit:: 374th Bombardment Squadron, 308th Bombardment Group, U.S. Army Air Forces
Awarded on:: 1945

"For extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a B-24 Heavy Bomber in the 374 Bombardment Squadron, 308th Bombardment Group (H), FOURTEENTH Air Force, while participating in a bombing mission on 15 October 1944, against enemy Japanese surface vessels in the South China Sea. On that date, 150 miles east of Hong Kong, Captain Carswell found a formation of six enemy naval vessels. In a first attack through the concentrated fire of heavily armed warships, his crew got two direct hits on a cruiser, blowing it up. Using his remaining bombs, Captain Carswell made three runs on a destroyer, scoring one direct hit and two near misses that put the ship out of action. The personal courage and zealous devotion to duty displayed by Captain Carswell on this occasion have upheld the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 14th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces."

Headquarters, U.S. Forces-China Theater, General Orders No. 31

Medal of Honor - Army (MoH)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Major
Unit:: 374th Bombardment Squadron, 308th Bombardment Group, U.S. Army Air Forces
Awarded on:: February 4th, 1946

"He piloted a B-24 bomber in a one-plane strike against a Japanese convoy in the South China Sea on the night of 26 October 1944. Taking the enemy force of 12 ships escorted by at least 2 destroyers by surprise, he made 1 bombing run at 600 feet, scoring a near miss on 1 warship and escaping without drawing fire. He circled. and fully realizing that the convoy was thoroughly alerted and would meet his next attack with a barrage of antiaircraft fire, began a second low-level run which culminated in 2 direct hits on a large tanker. A hail of steel from Japanese guns, riddled the bomber, knocking out 2 engines, damaging a third, crippling the hydraulic system, puncturing 1 gasoline tank, ripping uncounted holes in the aircraft, and wounding the copilot; but by magnificent display of flying skill, Maj. Carswell controlled the plane's plunge toward the sea and carefully forced it into a halting climb in the direction of the China shore. On reaching land, where it would have been possible to abandon the staggering bomber, one of the crew discovered that his parachute had been ripped by flak and rendered useless; the pilot, hoping to cross mountainous terrain and reach a base. continued onward until the third engine failed. He ordered the crew to bail out while he struggled to maintain altitude. and, refusing to save himself, chose to remain with his comrade and attempt a crash landing. He died when the airplane struck a mountainside and burned. With consummate gallantry and intrepidity, Maj. Carswell gave his life in a supreme effort to save all members of his crew. His sacrifice. far beyond that required of him, was in keeping with the traditional bravery of America's war heroes."

Awarded posthumously