| Birth: | Oct. 29, 1919
San Francisco
San Francisco County
California, USA | | Death: | Mar. 6, 1944 | 
World War II Congressional Medal of Honor recipient. He was a Major with the U.S. Army Air Corps and was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for heroism at Wewak, New Guinea. His official CMOH citation reads as follows: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action with the enemy. While Maj. Cheli was leading his squadron in a dive to attack the heavily defended Dagua Airdrome, intercepting enemy aircraft centered their fire on his plane,causing it to burst into flames while still 2 miles from the objective. His speed would have enabled him to gain necessary altitude to parachute to safety, but this action would have resulted in his formation becoming disorganized and exposed to the enemy. Although a crash was inevitable, he courageously elected to continue leading the attack in his blazing plane. From a minimum altitude, the squadron made a devastating bombing and strafing attack on the target. The mission completed, Maj. Cheli instructed his wingman to lead the formation and crashed into the sea. Rank and organization: Major, U.S. Army Air Corps. Place and date: Near Wewak, New Guinea, 18 August 1943. Entered service at: Brooklyn, N.Y. Birth: San Francisco, Calif. G.O. No.:72, 28 October 1943.
Search Amazon for Ralph Cheli | | | Burial:
Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery
Saint Louis
St. Louis County
Missouri, USA |
Maintained by: Find A Grave
Record added: Jan 05, 2001
Find A Grave Memorial# 19379 |
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(4.5 after 22 votes)
