John C. Meyer
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John C. Meyer | |
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Air Force Distinguished Service Medal (2) (15)Silver Star (2) Legion of Merit Distinguished Flying Cross (7) Purple Heart Air Medal |
Early life
Meyer was born in
Military career
Meyer enlisted in the
World War II
In September 1942 he was assigned to the newly formed
Captain Meyer took the 487th Fighter Squadron to its new base at RAF Bodney in East Anglia and into combat, scoring its first victory in November. By then he had been promoted to major and began leading the group in aerial victories. He continued to score against German fighters and remain a leading ace after the 352nd transitioned to the North American P-51 Mustang and adopted their famous "Blue Noses". By November 1944 he was deputy commander of the 352nd Fighter Group and the fourth highest scoring American ace in Europe with 24 confirmed air-to-air victories and 13 destroyed on the ground.
In December Meyer, as a Lieutenant Colonel, deployed with the 352nd to a
Later, a vehicle accident left him with a severe leg injury thereby ending his combat flying with the 352nd after flying 200 combat missions with 462 combat flying hours and scoring 24 aerial victories with another 13 credited to ground strafing.
Postwar assignments
In 1948, Meyer was selected as the
Korean War
Meyer then returned to a tactical flying unit in August 1950 when he assumed command of the
In December 1950, Meyer, led a flight of eight
During the war, he destroyed two MiG-15 aircraft, bringing his total of enemy aircraft destroyed (air and ground) in both World War II and Korean War to 39½.
Postwar assignments
After a tour of duty as Director of Operations for
In November 1963 General Meyer assumed command of the
Meyer became the vice chief of staff of the United States Air Force in August 1969, remaining in that post through April 1972. On May 1, 1972, he became the seventh commander-in-chief of the Strategic Air Command, and the director of the Joint Strategic Target Planning Staff. As commander of SAC from 1972 to 1974, he directed Operation Linebacker II, the 'Christmas Bombing' of North Vietnam.
On January 3, 1973, general Meyer visited Andersen Air Base on Guam, on a morale-boosting trio after The ‘Christmas Bombing’ had placed heavy strains on the morale and cohesion of the B-52 bomber squadrons. In a Q&A session with crews, Meyers answers prompted such anger among the airmen, that some walked out in disgust, while other pelted the general with coke cans and furniture.[4] In “Vietnam - An Epic Tragedy” historian Max Hastings describes it as one of the most extraordinary episodes in the history of SAC”.
Later life
Meyer died of a heart attack on December 2, 1975, and is buried with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery.
In 1988, Meyer was inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame.[citation needed]
Awards and decorations
Meyer's military decorations include the
US Air Force Command Pilot Badge |
oak leaf clusters
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Air Force Distinguished Service Medal with one bronze oak leaf cluster
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Silver Star with one bronze oak leaf cluster | |
Legion of Merit | |
Distinguished Flying Cross with a silver and bronze oak leaf clusters | |
Purple Heart | |
Air Medal with two silver and two bronze oak leaf clusters | |
Air Medal with bronze oak leaf cluster (second ribbon required for accouterment spacing) | |
Army Commendation Medal | |
Air Force Presidential Unit Citation with four bronze oak leaf clusters | |
American Defense Service Medal with one service star | |
American Campaign Medal | |
campaign star
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World War II Victory Medal | |
National Defense Service Medal with one bronze service star | |
Korean War Service Medal with three bronze campaign stars | |
Air Force Longevity Service Award with silver and two bronze oak leaf clusters
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Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon
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Croix de Guerre with Palm (France)
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Croix de Guerre with Palm (Belgium)
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United Nations Service Medal for Korea
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Korean War Service Medal |
Distinguished Service Cross citation (1st Award)
- Meyer, John C.
- Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps), U.S. Army Air Forces
- 487th Fighter Squadron, 352nd Fighter Group, 8th Air Force
- Date of Action: May 08, 1944
- Citation:
The
Distinguished Service Cross citation (2nd Award)
- Meyer, John C.
- Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps), U.S. Army Air Forces
- 487th Fighter Squadron, 352nd Fighter Group, 8th Air Force
- Date of Action: September 11, 1944
- Citation:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Service Cross to Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps) John Charles Meyer, United States Army Air Forces, 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.[5]
Distinguished Service Cross citation (3rd Award)
- Meyer, John C.
- Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps), U.S. Army Air Forces
- 487th Fighter Squadron, 352nd Fighter Group, 8th Air Force
- Date of Action: January 01, 1945
- Citation:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Service Cross to Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps) John Charles Meyer, United States Army Air Forces, 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.[5]
References
- ^ "Burial Detail: Meyer, John C". ANC Explorer. Retrieved 2022-04-24.
- ^ "Biographical Sketch For John C. Meyer". Air Force Historical Research Agency. c. 1957. Retrieved October 20, 2021.
- ^ Meyer's actions on 1 January 1945 are documented in Edward H. Sims' book American Aces as the eleventh chapter of that collection.
- ^ Clodfelter, Mark. Fifty Shades of Friction: Combat Climate, B-52 Crews, and the Vietnam War. Government Printing Office, 2016.
- ^ a b c "Valor awards for John Charles Meyer". Valor.militarytimes.com. Retrieved 2018-10-10.
This article incorporates public domain material from the United States Air Force
External links
- Additional information from Aces of the Eighth Air Force in World War II