PORTLAND, Ore. -- Today, August 7, is National Purple Heart Day. The Purple Heart, including its forerunner, the Badge of Military Merit, is America’s oldest military award. It’s given to servicemembers who have been wounded, killed, or who have died of wounds received in action against an enemy of the United States. See the Air Force Personnel Center’s Purple Heart Fact Sheet for more background on the award, the Purple Heart medal and criteria for awarding it, at: https://www.afpc.af.mil/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/421938/purple-heart/
During World War II, the 371st Fighter Group, today’s 142nd Wing, eleven P-47 Thunderbolt fighter pilots of the group headquarters and three fighter squadrons received the Purple Heart for wounds they received in action with the enemy. These were in addition to the 44 Purple Hearts awarded to group members killed in combat with the enemy. These wounded warriors were:
371st Fighter Group Headquarters (the 142nd Wing, OR ANG today)
Lt. Col. William J. Daley (with Oak Leaf Cluster after he was KIA on September 9, 1944)
404th Fighter Squadron (the 186th Airlift Squadron, MT ANG today)
Capt. Harry W. Hohl, Jr. (with Oak Leaf Cluster after he was KIA on January 2, 1945)
1st Lt. Wesley R. Izzard
1st Lt. Willis R. Brown
1st Lt. Daniel A. Naymik
405th Fighter Squadron (the 190th Fighter Squadron, ID ANG today)
1st Lt. Leon L. Hooper
2nd Lt. James L. Kendall, Jr.
406th Fighter Squadron
Maj. Edmond A. Goolsbee, was the first Purple Heart recipient of the group, read more about him in “The Wing’s First Purple Heart,” at: https://www.142wg.ang.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1928814/the-wings-first-purple-heart/
1st Lt. Robert W. Meade
2nd Lt. Henry W. Parslow
1st Lt. Henry A. Pax; read about his experience in “Purple Heart for Lieutenant Pax!” at: https://www.dvidshub.net/news/450829/purple-heart-lieutenant-pax
And One More
In addition, the first commander of the 406th Fighter Squadron, Maj. Edwin D. Taylor, was a former RAF Eagle Squadron pilot who was wounded in aerial combat with the German Luftwaffe in July, 1942. The RAF recognized airmen wounded in action through various honors and medals. For commissioned and warrant officers, the Distinguished Flying Cross could be awarded. In Maj. Taylor’s case, a nomination for the DFC was lost in the shuffle after a squadron change of command. Of note, the American Air Museum in Britain carries a complete list of Taylor’s awards and decorations, which includes a Purple Heart.
Reflections
The ratio of 371st Fighter Group Purple Heart personnel killed in action (44) compared to wounded in action (12, including Maj. Taylor) appears to reflect an assessment made by author and historian Donald L. Miller. Miller, the author of the popular Masters of the Air book which formed the basis for the AppleTV+ mini-series by the same name about the air war in Europe, examined the battle casualties of soldiers versus airmen in the war. He wrote that for every soldier killed in ground combat, three or four were wounded. In the army air forces, the ratio was reversed, with over three times as many men killed as were wounded.
On this Purple Heart Recognition Day, we remember our wounded and fallen warriors who earned this award in actions with the enemy. We should express our grateful appreciation for their service and sacrifice for our community, state and nation.