Criteria The Air Medal may be awarded to individuals who, while serving in any capacity with the Armed Forces, distinguish themselves by heroism, outstanding achievement, or by meritorious service while partic... The Air Medal may be awarded to individuals who, while serving in any capacity with the Armed Forces, distinguish themselves by heroism, outstanding achievement, or by meritorious service while participating in aerial flight, but not of a degree that would justify an award of the Distinguished Flying Cross. MoreHide
Comments American WWII Magazine - Martin Jacobs:
"Zamperini arrived at Long Beach, California, on October 5, 1945, and was promoted to captain and awarded the Air Medal with oak leaf clusters; the Purple Heart ... American WWII Magazine - Martin Jacobs:
"Zamperini arrived at Long Beach, California, on October 5, 1945, and was promoted to captain and awarded the Air Medal with oak leaf clusters; the Purple Heart with oak leaf cluster; the Philippine Liberation Medal; and the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal and American Campaign Medal with battle stars. He arrived home at Torrance, California, to a hero's reception. A high school athletic field and the Torrance airport were named after him."
Additional Notation:
The first Air Medal awarded 12-24-1942 to all the crew members of 26 B-24 bombers that made the first bombing on Wake Island. All 26 planes returned to their base on Oahu. Admiral Chester Nimitz presented all the Wake Pilots the Distinguished Flying Cross and all the crewmen with the Army Air Medal. (Unbroken page 76). MoreHide
Criteria The Air Medal may be awarded to individuals who, while serving in any capacity with the Armed Forces, distinguish themselves by heroism, outstanding achievement, or by meritorious service while partic... The Air Medal may be awarded to individuals who, while serving in any capacity with the Armed Forces, distinguish themselves by heroism, outstanding achievement, or by meritorious service while participating in aerial flight, but not of a degree that would justify an award of the Distinguished Flying Cross. MoreHide
Comments American WWII Magazine - Martin Jacobs:
"Zamperini arrived at Long Beach, California, on October 5, 1945, and was promoted to captain and awarded the Air Medal with oak leaf clusters; the Purple Heart ... American WWII Magazine - Martin Jacobs:
"Zamperini arrived at Long Beach, California, on October 5, 1945, and was promoted to captain and awarded the Air Medal with oak leaf clusters; the Purple Heart with oak leaf cluster; the Philippine Liberation Medal; and the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal and American Campaign Medal with battle stars. He arrived home at Torrance, California, to a hero's reception. A high school athletic field and the Torrance airport were named after him."
Additional Notation:
The first Air Medal awarded 12-24-1942 to all the crew members of 26 B-24 bombers that made the first bombing on Wake Island. All 26 planes returned to their base on Oahu. Admiral Chester Nimitz presented all the Wake Pilots the Distinguished Flying Cross and all the crewmen with the Army Air Medal. (Unbroken page 76). MoreHide
Criteria The Army Good Conduct Medal is awarded on a selective basis to enlisted members of the Army who distinguish themselves by exemplary behavior, efficiency and fidelity during a specified period of conti... The Army Good Conduct Medal is awarded on a selective basis to enlisted members of the Army who distinguish themselves by exemplary behavior, efficiency and fidelity during a specified period of continuous enlisted active service (normally three years in peacetime). MoreHide
Criteria The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal was awarded for for qualifying service within the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946, under any of the following condi... The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal was awarded for for qualifying service within the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946, under any of the following conditions: On permanent assignment within the Asiatic-Pacific Theater; or, For service in a passenger status or on temporary duty for 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days; or, For service in active combat in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations against the enemy and awarded a combat decoration or furnished a certificate by the commanding general of a corps, higher unit, or independent force that the individual actually participated in combat. MoreHide
Criteria The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal was awarded for for qualifying service within the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946, under any of the following condi... The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal was awarded for for qualifying service within the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946, under any of the following conditions: On permanent assignment within the Asiatic-Pacific Theater; or, For service in a passenger status or on temporary duty for 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days; or, For service in active combat in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations against the enemy and awarded a combat decoration or furnished a certificate by the commanding general of a corps, higher unit, or independent force that the individual actually participated in combat. MoreHide
Criteria The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal was awarded for for qualifying service within the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946, under any of the following condi... The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal was awarded for for qualifying service within the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946, under any of the following conditions: On permanent assignment within the Asiatic-Pacific Theater; or, For service in a passenger status or on temporary duty for 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days; or, For service in active combat in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations against the enemy and awarded a combat decoration or furnished a certificate by the commanding general of a corps, higher unit, or independent force that the individual actually participated in combat. MoreHide
Description The plan of the Pacific subseries was determined by the geography, strategy, and the military organization of a theater largely oceanic. Two independent, coordinate commands, one in the Southwest PaciThe plan of the Pacific subseries was determined by the geography, strategy, and the military organization of a theater largely oceanic. Two independent, coordinate commands, one in the Southwest Pacific under General of the Army Douglas MacArthur and the other in the Central, South, and North Pacific (Pacific Ocean Areas) under Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, were created early in the war. Except in the South and Southwest Pacific, each conducted its own operations with its own ground, air, and naval forces in widely separated areas. These operations required at first only a relatively small number of troops whose efforts often yielded strategic gains which cannot be measured by the size of the forces involved. Indeed, the nature of the objectivesùsmall islands, coral atolls, and jungle-bound harbors and airstrips, made the employment of large ground forces impossible and highlighted the importance of air and naval operations. Thus, until 1945, the war in the Pacific progressed by a double series of amphibious operations each of which fitted into a strategic pattern developed in Washington.
21 Named Campaigns were recognized in the Asiatic Pacific Theater with Battle Streamers and Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medals.... More
Criteria The Presidential Unit Citation may be awarded to units of the Armed Forces of the United States and cobelligerent nations for extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy occurring on or aft... The Presidential Unit Citation may be awarded to units of the Armed Forces of the United States and cobelligerent nations for extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy occurring on or after December 7, 1941. MoreHide
Description
Three Army Presidential Unit Citations based on information at the Veteran Tributes web site for Louis S. Zamperini.
Best Friends
Russell Allen Phillips, Pilot and Louis promoted to 1Lt shortly after arriving in Hawaii.
Best Moment
Christmas 1942 Bombing of Wake Island - First American bombing of Wake during the Pacific Theatre of WWII. 26 B-24 planes made the raid and all returned with no casualties or injuries among all the crew members.
Chain of Command
Departed Hamilton Field, CA on November 2, 1942. First assigned to Hickman Field, Oahu but immediately sent to Kahuku Base, a north shore base.
Other Memories
Book, Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand pages 66. Page 112, Phillips crew was transferred to the 42nd Bombardment Squadron 11th Bombardment Group on May 24, 1943.
Criteria The Purple Heart may be awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving under competent authority in any capacity with one of the Armed Forces, has been wounded, kill... The Purple Heart may be awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving under competent authority in any capacity with one of the Armed Forces, has been wounded, killed, or who has died or may die of wounds received in armed combat or as a result of an act of international terrorism. MoreHide
Criteria The Purple Heart may be awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving under competent authority in any capacity with one of the Armed Forces, has been wounded, kill... The Purple Heart may be awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving under competent authority in any capacity with one of the Armed Forces, has been wounded, killed, or who has died or may die of wounds received in armed combat or as a result of an act of international terrorism. MoreHide
Criteria The Purple Heart may be awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving under competent authority in any capacity with one of the Armed Forces, has been wounded, kill... The Purple Heart may be awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving under competent authority in any capacity with one of the Armed Forces, has been wounded, killed, or who has died or may die of wounds received in armed combat or as a result of an act of international terrorism. MoreHide
Comments
Per CBS National News 04/03/2014, rerun of live interview two years prior Louis Zamperini stated in the interview that he received three Purple Hearts.
Criteria The Presidential Unit Citation may be awarded to units of the Armed Forces of the United States and cobelligerent nations for extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy occurring on or aft... The Presidential Unit Citation may be awarded to units of the Armed Forces of the United States and cobelligerent nations for extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy occurring on or after December 7, 1941. MoreHide
Description
Three Army Presidential Unit Citations based on information at the Veteran Tributes web site for Louis S. Zamperini.
Criteria The Presidential Unit Citation may be awarded to units of the Armed Forces of the United States and cobelligerent nations for extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy occurring on or aft... The Presidential Unit Citation may be awarded to units of the Armed Forces of the United States and cobelligerent nations for extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy occurring on or after December 7, 1941. MoreHide
Description
Three Army Presidential Unit Citations based on information at the Veteran Tributes web site for Louis S. Zamperini.
Criteria The Prisoner of War Medal commemorates military service as a prisoner of war. It is awarded to any member of the Armed Forces who, since April 5, 1917, has been or shall be taken prisoner or held capt... The Prisoner of War Medal commemorates military service as a prisoner of war. It is awarded to any member of the Armed Forces who, since April 5, 1917, has been or shall be taken prisoner or held captive while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States; while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or while serving with friendly forces engaged in armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States in not a belligerent party. MoreHide
Description The war in the Central Pacific (7 December 1941 to 6 December 1943) began with the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941. Six months later an AAF task force took part in the Battle of MidThe war in the Central Pacific (7 December 1941 to 6 December 1943) began with the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941. Six months later an AAF task force took part in the Battle of Midway, in which a great Japanese fleet was defeated. But another year and a half elapsed before American forces began an offensive against Japanese positions in the Central Pacific. It was then, on 20 November 1943, that landings were made in the Gilberts, on Makin and Tarawa, with the Marines at the latter place becoming engaged in one of the bloodiest battles of the war.... More
Best Moment
The 372nd Squadron was formulated in Ephrata, Washington, summer 1942. During August & September 42 they practiced as a crew flying and hitting targets. October practicing out of Sioux City, Iowa until mid Oct when orders took the crew and their B-24 to Hamilton Field, CA for preparation to fly to Hawaii on November 2, 1942. While at Hamilton the crew named their B-24 Superman and an artist painted the name and an illustration on the plane. The pilot, Russell Allen Phillips stated the copilot had named the plane Superman.
Chain of Command
Crew #8, 372nd Bombardment Squadron, 307th Bombardment Group, Seventh Air Force.
B-24D (Flying Coffin)
Nine Crews in total for the Squadron.
Other Memories
Book; Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand pages 55-65
Chain of Command
Graduated from Midland Army Flying School, August 13 or 14, 1942, commissioned 2Lt. Unbroken, page 53. Louis was in the top 15 of his class; book - Devil at my Heels, Harper Paperback, 2011, page 59.
Other Memories
Following Basic Bombardier Training at Ellington Field near Houston, TX Zamperini was sent over to Midland Army Airfield, southwest of Midland, Texas for OCS and additional Bombardier Training and was commissioned 2Lt.
Criteria The Air Medal may be awarded to individuals who, while serving in any capacity with the Armed Forces, distinguish themselves by heroism, outstanding achievement, or by meritorious service while partic... The Air Medal may be awarded to individuals who, while serving in any capacity with the Armed Forces, distinguish themselves by heroism, outstanding achievement, or by meritorious service while participating in aerial flight, but not of a degree that would justify an award of the Distinguished Flying Cross. MoreHide
Comments American WWII Magazine - Martin Jacobs:
"Zamperini arrived at Long Beach, California, on October 5, 1945, and was promoted to captain and awarded the Air Medal with oak leaf clusters; the Purple Heart ... American WWII Magazine - Martin Jacobs:
"Zamperini arrived at Long Beach, California, on October 5, 1945, and was promoted to captain and awarded the Air Medal with oak leaf clusters; the Purple Heart with oak leaf cluster; the Philippine Liberation Medal; and the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal and American Campaign Medal with battle stars. He arrived home at Torrance, California, to a hero's reception. A high school athletic field and the Torrance airport were named after him."
Additional Notation:
The first Air Medal awarded 12-24-1942 to all the crew members of 26 B-24 bombers that made the first bombing on Wake Island. All 26 planes returned to their base on Oahu. Admiral Chester Nimitz presented all the Wake Pilots the Distinguished Flying Cross and all the crewmen with the Army Air Medal. (Unbroken page 76). MoreHide
Criteria The Air Medal may be awarded to individuals who, while serving in any capacity with the Armed Forces, distinguish themselves by heroism, outstanding achievement, or by meritorious service while partic... The Air Medal may be awarded to individuals who, while serving in any capacity with the Armed Forces, distinguish themselves by heroism, outstanding achievement, or by meritorious service while participating in aerial flight, but not of a degree that would justify an award of the Distinguished Flying Cross. MoreHide
Comments American WWII Magazine - Martin Jacobs:
"Zamperini arrived at Long Beach, California, on October 5, 1945, and was promoted to captain and awarded the Air Medal with oak leaf clusters; the Purple Heart ... American WWII Magazine - Martin Jacobs:
"Zamperini arrived at Long Beach, California, on October 5, 1945, and was promoted to captain and awarded the Air Medal with oak leaf clusters; the Purple Heart with oak leaf cluster; the Philippine Liberation Medal; and the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal and American Campaign Medal with battle stars. He arrived home at Torrance, California, to a hero's reception. A high school athletic field and the Torrance airport were named after him."
Additional Notation:
The first Air Medal awarded 12-24-1942 to all the crew members of 26 B-24 bombers that made the first bombing on Wake Island. All 26 planes returned to their base on Oahu. Admiral Chester Nimitz presented all the Wake Pilots the Distinguished Flying Cross and all the crewmen with the Army Air Medal. (Unbroken page 76). MoreHide
Criteria The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal was awarded for for qualifying service within the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946, under any of the following condi... The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal was awarded for for qualifying service within the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946, under any of the following conditions: On permanent assignment within the Asiatic-Pacific Theater; or, For service in a passenger status or on temporary duty for 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days; or, For service in active combat in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations against the enemy and awarded a combat decoration or furnished a certificate by the commanding general of a corps, higher unit, or independent force that the individual actually participated in combat. MoreHide
Other Memories
Enlisted in Regular Army September 29, 1941. Basic Training at Camp Roberts, near Paso Robles, CA. Also, NCO School at Camp Roberts following Basic Training. From Devil At My Heels, Paperback, Harper, 2003, 2004, 2011; page 56
Criteria a. The ADSM was established by EO 8808, announced in War Department Bulletin 17, 1941. It is awarded for service between 8 September 1939 and 7 December 1941 under orders to active duty for a period o... a. The ADSM was established by EO 8808, announced in War Department Bulletin 17, 1941. It is awarded for service between 8 September 1939 and 7 December 1941 under orders to active duty for a period of 12 months or longer.
b. A clasp, with the inscription "Foreign Service", is worn on the ADSM to denote service outside the continental limits of the United States, including service in Alaska, as a member of a crew of a vessel sailing ocean waters, flights over ocean waters, or as an assigned member of an organization stationed outside the continental limits of the United States. Possession of a clasp is denoted by the wearing of a bronze service star on the service ribbon. MoreHide
Comments Enlisted in AAF March 18, 1941. Washed out of flight training. Re-enlisted in Regular Army September 29, 1941 until about November / December 1941 when the Army transferred him back to the AAF to be ... Enlisted in AAF March 18, 1941. Washed out of flight training. Re-enlisted in Regular Army September 29, 1941 until about November / December 1941 when the Army transferred him back to the AAF to be a bombardier.
MoreHide
Criteria The American Campaign Medal was awarded for For thirty days service outside the Continental United States but within the American Theater of Operations between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946; or,... The American Campaign Medal was awarded for For thirty days service outside the Continental United States but within the American Theater of Operations between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946; or, an aggregate service of one year within the Continental United States during the same period under the following circumstances: On permanent assignment outside the continental limits of the United States; or, On permanent assignment as a member of a crew of a vessel sailing ocean waters for a period of 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days; or, For service outside the continental limits of the United States in a passenger status or on temporary duty for 30 consecutive days or 60 non consecutive days; or, For service in active combat against the enemy and awarded a combat decoration or furnished a certificate by the commanding general of a corps, higher unit, or independent force that the individual actually participated in combat; or, For service within the continental limits of the United States for an aggregate period of one year. MoreHide
Stated by the Los Angles Times - July 3, 2014:
Zamperini was promoted to Captain while a POW in Japan's Prisoner of War camps in Japan.
From Veteran Tributes web site:
Zamperini was honorably released from the Army Air Force on August 11, 1946.