An Armistice Day Overseas, 1944
Five pilots of the 35th Photo Recon Squadron were awarded the Air Medal in April, 1945. Here, the squadron commander, Maj. Albert J. McChristy, receives the award for the period June 16, 1944 to February 1, 1945 from Major General Claire L. Chennault, the famed commander of 14th Air Force and the Flying Tigers, in a ceremony held on April 27, 1945. The other pilots awarded were Capt. Joseph R. Sipper, 1st Lt. Sterling E. Barrow, 1st Lt. Edward B. Burdett and 1st Lt. Richard B. Schwyn. Their citation for meritorious achievement in aerial flight read: “…they flew 100 or more hours of combat flight from bases in China in photo-reconnaissance aircraft which necessitated their acting as pilots and navigators as well as photographers. Flying in unarmed aircraft at extreme range and in spite of hazardous weather, they obtained invaluable photographic intelligence on enemy installations in northern and eastern China, along the China coast, on Hainan Island and in French Indo-China. The versatility and skill of these pilots reflect credit upon themselves and upon the Army Air Forces.” McChristy’s Tri-Met mission of November 11, 1944, was one of those for which he received this award. He commanded the Redhawk squadron from late December 1943 to late January, 1945. (Image via Fold3.com)