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Fred Thomas Crimmins Jr.

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Fred Thomas Crimmins Jr.

Birth
Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas, USA
Death
6 May 1971 (aged 58)
Asheville, Buncombe County, North Carolina, USA
Burial
Tampa, Hillsborough County, Florida, USA Add to Map
Plot
Chimes Garden, Section 14
Memorial ID
View Source
Distinguished Service Cross
AWARDED FOR ACTIONS
DURING World War II
Service: Army Air Forces
Division: Far East Air Force
GENERAL ORDERS:
Office of the Department Commander, South West Pacific Command, General Orders No. 2 (1942)

CITATION:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Captain (Air Corps), [then First Lieutenant] Fred Thomas Crimmins, Jr., United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy in aerial combat while serving with the 19th Bombardment Group (H), FAR EAST Air Force, in action against enemy forces on 8 December 1941, at Clark Field in the Philippine Islands. Immediately following the high altitude bombardment of Clark Field, Pampanga, Philippine Islands, by 75 bombers at noon on 8 December 1941, while the field and hangar line was under constant machine gun strafing by low-flying enemy aircraft, Captain Crimmins rushed into the burning hangar which contained his assigned airplane and started the engines to taxi it to a place of safety. However, when in the open, intense and accurate dive-bomber machine gun fire wounded Captain Crimmins in the head and arms, and destroyed the plane. The example set in this instance of calmness and service under such extreme hazards and odds did much to steady the personnel during the attack, which lasted one hour and a half. The personal courage and zealous devotion to duty displayed by Captain Crimmins on this occasion have upheld the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.
Source: https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/30096
Distinguished Service Cross
AWARDED FOR ACTIONS
DURING World War II
Service: Army Air Forces
Division: Far East Air Force
GENERAL ORDERS:
Office of the Department Commander, South West Pacific Command, General Orders No. 2 (1942)

CITATION:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Captain (Air Corps), [then First Lieutenant] Fred Thomas Crimmins, Jr., United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy in aerial combat while serving with the 19th Bombardment Group (H), FAR EAST Air Force, in action against enemy forces on 8 December 1941, at Clark Field in the Philippine Islands. Immediately following the high altitude bombardment of Clark Field, Pampanga, Philippine Islands, by 75 bombers at noon on 8 December 1941, while the field and hangar line was under constant machine gun strafing by low-flying enemy aircraft, Captain Crimmins rushed into the burning hangar which contained his assigned airplane and started the engines to taxi it to a place of safety. However, when in the open, intense and accurate dive-bomber machine gun fire wounded Captain Crimmins in the head and arms, and destroyed the plane. The example set in this instance of calmness and service under such extreme hazards and odds did much to steady the personnel during the attack, which lasted one hour and a half. The personal courage and zealous devotion to duty displayed by Captain Crimmins on this occasion have upheld the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.
Source: https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/30096

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TEXAS
COLONEL US AIR FORCE
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