| Birth: | Jul. 16, 1916 | | Death: | Oct. 26, 1944 | 
World War II Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient. He was a Major with the 308th Bombardment Group, U.S. Army Air Corps and was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for heroism over the South China Sea on October 26, 1944. His official CMOH citation reads as follows: He piloted a B-24 bomber in a one-plane strike against a Japanese convoy in the South China Sea on the night of 26 October 1944. Taking the enemy force of 12 ships escorted by at least 2 destroyers by surprise, he made 1 bombing run at 600 feet, scoring a near miss on 1 warship and escaping without drawing fire. He circled and fully realizing that the convoy was thoroughly alerted and would meet his next attack with a barrage of antiaircraft fire, began a second low-level run which culminated in 2 direct hits on a large tanker. A hail of steel from Japanese guns, riddled the bomber, knocking out 2 engines, damaging a third, crippling the hydraulic system, puncturing 1 gasoline tank, ripping uncounted hol
es in the aircraft, and wounding the copilot; but by magnificent display of flying skill, Maj. Carswell controlled the plane's plunge toward the sea and carefully forced it into a halting climb in the direction of the China shore. On reaching land, where it would have been possible to abandon the staggering bomber, one of the crew discovered that his parachute had been ripped by flak and rendered useless; the pilot, hoping to cross mountainous terrain and reach a base. continued onward until the third engine failed. He ordered the crew to bail out while he struggled to maintain altitude. and, refusing to save himself, chose to remain with his comrade and attempt a crash landing. He died when the airplane struck a mountainside and burned. With consummate gallantry and intrepidity, Maj. Carswell gave his life in a supreme effort to save all members of his crew. His sacrifice. far beyond that required of him, was in keeping with the traditional bravery of America's war heroes.
Search Amazon for Horace Seaver Carswell | | | Burial:
Oakwood Cemetery
Fort Worth
Tarrant County
Texas, USA
Plot: Carswell Park, To Right Of Entrance |
Maintained by: Find A Grave
Record added: Jun 04, 2000
Find A Grave Memorial# 9812 |
|
|
|
|
(3.9 after 24 votes)
