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Medal Of Honor
Sixteen (16) MoH were awarded to fighter pilots in WWII.
Only one went to the European Theatre of Operations, namely Major James Howard for his actions on 11 January, 1944 over Germany.
The other fifteen (15) were all awarded for actions over the Pacific. Nine (9) to USMC aviators, four (4) to the USAAF and two (2) to USN aviators.
Now looking at those stats, one could be forgiven for thinking that fighter pilots serving in the Pacific Theatre were more brave than those who served in the Med or over Europe. Which is obviously not the case.
Which raises the question why were 'the powers that be' in Europe so begrudging as compared to the Pacific?
The RAF was even more stingy regarding the UK's highest award. Only one 'Commonwealth' fighter pilot in WWII received the Victoria Cross. And that was James Nicolson, and he was badly burned bailing out of his Hurricane on 16 August, 1940.
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ASWWIAH Member
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