Perry J. Dahl
Perry John Dahl | |
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475th Fighter Group | |
Commands held |
|
Battles/wars | World War II Vietnam War |
Awards | (16) |
Perry John Dahl (born February 18, 1923) is a retired United States Air Force colonel and a flying ace, who was credited in destroying 9 enemy aircraft in aerial combat during World War II.
Early life
Born on February 18, 1923, in
Military career
On June 17, 1940, Dahl enlisted in the
World War II
![475th Fighter Group](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/57/475th_fighter_gp-emblem-wwii.jpg/120px-475th_fighter_gp-emblem-wwii.jpg)
After the completion of training in the
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/36/P-38_Lightning_-_Chino_Airshow_2014_%2815960092414%29.jpg/220px-P-38_Lightning_-_Chino_Airshow_2014_%2815960092414%29.jpg)
In April 1944, he was promoted to the rank of
On January 15, 1945, Dahl returned to duty and on March 5, he scored his eighth aerial victory, a
During World War II, Dahl was credited with destroying 9 enemy aircraft in aerial combat while flying 158 combat missions. While serving with the 475th FG, one of his P-38s bore the name "Skidoo".[1][4][6]
Post war
Dahl returned to the United States in June 1945 and after the end of World War II, he left military service briefly to attend
During the
In April 1975, he was assigned as the Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans and Programs with Headquarters
Aerial victories
Date | Total | Aircraft Types Claimed | Location |
---|---|---|---|
9 November 1943 | 1 | Mitsubishi A6M "Zero" destroyed | Alexishafen, New Guinea
|
22 December 1943 | 1 | Mitsubishi A6M "Zero" destroyed | Wewak, New Guinea |
23 January 1944 | 1 | Mitsubishi A6M "Zero" destroyed | Wewak, New Guinea |
3 April 1944 | 2 | 1 x Mitsubishi A6M "Zero", 1 x Nakajima Ki-43 "Oscar" destroyed | Hollandia, Dutch New Guinea |
8 June 1944 | 1 | Nakajima Ki-43 "Oscar" destroyed | Waigeo, Dutch East Indies |
10 November 1944 | 1 | Kawasaki Ki-61 "Tony" destroyed | Ormoc Bay, Philippines |
5 March 1945 | 1 | Mitsubishi Ki-21 "Sally" | Formosa
|
28 March 1945 | 1 | Mitsubishi A6M3-32 "Hamp" |
French Indochina |
9 |
SOURCE: 475th Fighter Group Historical Foundation
Later life
The
In 2015, he along with other flying aces received the Congressional Gold Medal, in recognition of "their heroic military service and defense of the country's freedom throughout the history of aviation warfare."[10]
On 18 February 2023, he turned 100 years old, making him a centenarian.[11]
Awards and decorations
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United States Air Force Command Pilot Badge
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Silver Star | ||
Legion of Merit | Distinguished Flying Cross | Bronze Star
|
Purple Heart | Meritorious Service Medal with bronze oak leaf cluster |
Air Medal with three silver oak leaf clusters |
Air Force Commendation Medal | Air Force Presidential Unit Citation with bronze oak leaf cluster |
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
|
Army Good Conduct Medal | American Defense Service Medal | American Campaign Medal |
campaign star
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World War II Victory Medal | National Defense Service Medal with service star |
Vietnam Service Medal with silver campaign star |
Air Force Longevity Service Award with silver and bronze oak leaf cluster |
Armed Forces Reserve Medal |
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon
|
Philippine Liberation Medal with service star |
Philippine Independence Medal |
Philippine Presidential Unit Citation
|
Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation
|
Vietnam Campaign Medal |
Silver Star citation
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e3/SilverStarMed.gif/50px-SilverStarMed.gif)
- Dahl, Perry J.
- Captain, U.S. Army Air Forces
- 432d Fighter Squadron, 475th Fighter Group, Far East Air Forces
- Date of Action: March 28, 1945
- Citation:[8]
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Perry John Dahl, United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action while serving as Pilot of a P-38 fighter airplane of the 432d Fighter Squadron, 475th Fighter Group, Far East Air Forces, in action off the coast of French Indochina, on 28 March 1945. Captain Dahl led a squadron of eight P-38 aircraft escorting bombers on an attack against an enemy convoy. Preceding the bombers to the rendezvous, he searched for the convoy and, after 45 minutes, discovered it. He circled the vessels at a dangerously low altitude, made observations at the risk of being hit by accurate anti-aircraft fire, and reported the position of the convoy to the B-25's. Shortly afterwards, he noticed that an accompanying fight of P-38's, their pilots apparently unaware of some 20 enemy fighters above, was attacking a few hostile planes at a lower altitude. Unable to communicate with the endangered flight, he pulled up to intercept the enemy fighters as they dived to attack it. After dispatching part of his own squadron to pursue another attacking fighter, he continued the uneven engagement with the aid of only 4 other P-38's. As pairs of enemy planes dived in rapid succession, he attacked each pair in turn, forcing the pilots to break off the attack and destroying one of the enemy fighters. The lower flight of P-38's finally rose to engage the enemy after he and his flight had carried on a 20-minute battle. Leaving the target area, he was again attacked by 6 enemy fighters. With a dangerously low gasoline supply he had to fight his way through the interception and, unable to get to his own base, succeeded in reaching another airfield with only 10 to 20 gallons of fuel reserve. The outstanding leadership, courage and flying skill displayed by Captain Dahl during this flight represent the highest type of service to be rendered to the United States Army Air Forces.
References
- ^ a b c d e "Perry J. "PJ" Dahl: P-38 Lightning Pilot and Ace". Pacific Wrecks. Retrieved 2023-02-25.
- ^ a b c d "Perry J. Dahl". Veteran Tributes. Retrieved 2023-02-25.
- ^ Dahl, Perry; Busha, James (2018-10-01). "Running With The Devil: Becoming an Ace with the Satan's Angels". Flight Journal (Press Reader). Retrieved 2023-02-25.
- ^ a b c d "Air Force Historical Study 85: USAF Credits for the Destruction of Enemy Aircraft, World War II" (PDF). 1978. p. 54. Retrieved 2023-02-25.
- ^ a b Wertz, Jay (2017-03-06). "P.J. Dahl: P-38 Pilot with Nine Lives". History Net. Retrieved 2023-02-25.
- ^ a b c d "Col. Perry J. "PJ" Dahl". 475th Fighter Group Historical Foundation. Archived from the original on 2016-03-14. Retrieved 2023-02-25.
- ISBN 9781625166791. Retrieved 2023-02-25.
- ^ a b "Valor Awards for Perry Dahl". Military Times. Retrieved 2023-02-25.
- ^ "Warbird Stories: 23-Skidoo P-38 Lightning". Air Force Heritage Flight. 2022-08-10. Retrieved 2023-02-25.
- ^ "American Fighter Aces Receive Congressional Gold Medal". U.S. Mint. 2015-05-25. Retrieved 2023-02-25.
- ^ Senior Airman Leandra Garcia (2023-02-21). "P-38 Lightning Pilot tours F-35A Lightning II for 100th Birthday". 33rd Fighter Wing (USAF). Retrieved 2022-02-25.