| Birth: | Oct. 14, 1908 | | Death: | Dec. 24, 1944 | 
World War II Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient. Frederick Castle attended the US Military Academy, graduating 7th in the class of 1930. For the next four years he was pilot and assistant operations officer with the Air Corps. In 1934 he resigned his commission and returned to civilian life. However, he maintained his reserve status with the New York National Guard, and in January 1942 he re-entered active service. By 1944, he was commander of the 4th Combat Bomb Wing, and after leading numerous critical combat missions, he was promoted to Brigadier General. On Christmas Eve 1944, he was killed on his 30th bombing mission while leading a formation of B-17s over Belgium. For his actions on his final mission, he was awarded the Medal of Honor. The citation for the award reads: "He was air commander and leader of more than 2,000 heavy bombers in a strike against German airfields on 24 December 1944. En route to the target, the failure of 1 engine forced him to relinquish his place at the head of the formation. In order not to endanger friendly troops on the ground below, he refused to jettison his bombs to gain speed maneuverability. His lagging, unescorted aircraft became the target of numerous enemy fighters which ripped the left wing with cannon shells, set the oxygen system afire, and wounded 2 members of the crew. Repeated attacks started fires in 2 engines, leaving the Flying Fortress in imminent danger of exploding. Realizing the hopelessness of the situation, the bail-out order was given. Without regard for his personal safety he gallantly remained alone at the controls to afford all other crew members an opportunity to escape. Still another attack exploded gasoline tanks in the right wing, and the bomber plunged earthward, carrying Gen. Castle to his death. His intrepidity and willing sacrifice of his life to save members of the crew were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service." In addition to the Medal of Honor, General Castle was the recipient of numerous other medals including the Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross (with three oak leaf clusters), Air Medal (with four clusters) and Purple Heart. (bio by: Anne Cady)
Search Amazon for Frederick Castle | | | Burial:
Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery and Memorial
Henri-Chapelle
Liege, Belgium
Plot: Plot D, Row 13, Grave 53 |
Maintained by: Find A Grave
Record added: Oct 18, 2004
Find A Grave Memorial# 9654653 |
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