Richard G. Candelaria

Richard Gomez Candelaria (born July 14, 1922) is an American

Candelaria was born on July 14, 1922, in El Paso, Texas. The only child in his family, Candelaria was seven years old when his father died. His maternal grandmother, two aunts and an uncle then moved to Southern California to live with the family, where they lived comfortably during the Great Depression.^[1]

After graduating from

During World War II, Candelaria enlisted in the Aviation Cadet Program of the U.S. Army Air Forces on January 22, 1943. He began his training at airfields in California and Arizona. In January 1944, he graduated as a second lieutenant and received his wings. Following completion of flight training, Candelaria was selected and assigned to Williams and Luke Fields in Arizona, as a flight instructor, teaching advanced pilot instrument flying and gunnery.^[1][2]

World War II

In May 1944, Candelaria registered to be assigned in combat operations. After completing

His biggest day came on April 7, 1945. Candelaria was taxiing for takeoff as a leader of his section when he got a call from the control tower informing him that his rear tire was flat. The ground crew quickly appeared to put on a new one, but by the time he got airborne the rest of the flight element had departed earlier to rendezvous with the B-24s.[3]

As he arrived early over the target by taking shortcuts, he noticed two jet-powered Messerschmitt Me 262s waiting to attack the B-24s. Candelaria headed close to the Me 262s, and as the jets dipped to go below him, he dropped his fuel tanks, in an attempt to hit one of them. This didn't happen, but the maneuver managed to distract the two German pilots. As they began to circle, Candelaria pulled his P-51 to get inside their wide turn. He managed to fire at one of the Me 262s, and it began to smoke and roll over. The other Me 262 attempted to attack Candelaria, but decided to break off and head away.^[3][4][5]

Just after his encounter with the Me 262s ended, Candelaria noticed several Messerschmitt Bf 109s attempting to attack the B-24s. He radioed his squadron for aid and shot down the lead Bf 109. Candelaria went after the remaining German fighters and shot down three more of them before the rest of his squadron finally arrived, resulting in the remaining Bf 109s to retreat.^[3]

Shot down and evasion

On April 13, 1945, after a mission over

After several days on the run, he was moving through an open field to get from one forested area to hide in another when two German soldiers appeared. Candelaria attempted to surrender to them by waving his white pilot scarf, but the Germans ignored his effort to surrender and opened fire with their rifles. In response, Candelaria pulled out his pistol, and shot and killed both the soldiers.[3]

After another two days, weakened from hunger and exposure, Candelaria found himself near a settlement and hid in a vacant cabin. But the locals had seen him, and some of them later approached the cabin along with a German army sergeant. They wanted to lynch him on the spot because their village had been attacked by Allied aircraft. But the sergeant held them off until an officer arrived and escorted Candelaria away from the mob.^[1]

Candelaria was taken to a Luftwaffe command center, where other Allied pilots were also being held. After several weeks of captivity, Candelaria and two British officers managed to overpower a German captain inspecting the farmhouse where they were being kept. They hijacked a German automobile, taking a German captain hostage to reach Allied lines. Soon they had crossed over into Belgium, where they were surprised to learn that the war in Europe was over. Candelaria made it safely back to his squadron, and eventually back to the United States.^[3]

During World War II, Candelaria was credited with destroying 6 enemy aircraft in aerial combat plus 1 probable. During his time with the 479th FG, he flew

Candelaria married Betty Jean Landreth in 1953. The couple have two daughters.[1]

After his retirement from military, Candelaria had a successful business career and started a series of manufacturing businesses. He worked in management and administration.^[1]

In 2007, Candelaria appeared on an episode of the

His awards include:[2]

USAF Command Pilot Badge
	Silver Star
	Distinguished Flying Cross
	Purple Heart
	Air Medal with one silver and two bronze oak leaf clusters
	Air Force Presidential Unit Citation with two bronze oak leaf clusters
	Prisoner of War Medal
	Army Good Conduct Medal
	American Campaign Medal
	campaign stars
	World War II Victory Medal
	hourglass device
	Air Force Longevity Service Award with four bronze oak leaf clusters
	French Legion of Honour (Chevalier)[8]

Silver Star citation

For gallantry in action while escorting heavy bombers over Germany, 7 April 1945. When adverse weather caused Captain Candelaria to become separated from his Squadron, he continued on alone to rendezvous with the bombers. Observing two (2) ME-262 jets attacking the formation, he intercepted and dispersed them, probably destroying one (1) of the fighters. Still alone, and completely ignoring the odds and personal danger, Captain Candelaria attacked approximately fifteen (15) hostile fighters. Selecting the lead plane for his initial target, he shot it down in flames and then gallantly engaged the remaining aircraft until assistance arrived. Captain Candelaria's courage, tenacity of purpose, and determination to destroy the enemy at any cost are borne out by the fact that during this action he shot down four (4) ME-109's, thus preventing serious damage being inflicted on the bombers.

References