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Location of Interment Green Hills Memorial Park - Rancho Palos Verdes, California
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World War II Fighter Ace. He was one of the top American fighter pilots during the Second World War, piloting a variety of military aircraft including the P-40, P-47 and P-51. He achieved ace status as a pilot in both the P-47 and P-51 aircraft. He was a member of the 317th and 325th fighter squadrons serving in both the European and African combat theaters. He flew 100 combat operations between 1943 and 1944, flying his first combat mission on May 19, 1943. He was credited with shooting down 18 enemy aircraft and destroying an additional ten aircraft on the ground. During one combat engagement he personally shot down six German enemy bombers before being forced to break off the attack, resulting from lack of ammunition. He was appointed commanding officer of the 317th Fighter Squadron on March 25, 1944. After the war he was appointed Commander of the 4th Fighter Group flying the new Lockheed F-80 Shooting Star. He was promoted to the rank of Colonel at the age of 30, after only eight years of military service, one of the youngest to achieve such military honors and distinction. Following his military service he worked for the Hughes Aircraft Company from 1964 until his retirement in 1982. He was the recipient of the Distinguished Service Cross, the Silver Star, two Distinguished Flying Cross medals, the French Croix de Guerre with Palm and the Purple Heart. In 1996 he published his autobiography "Herky: Memoirs of a Checkertail Ace." He died at a Southern California hospital from undisclosed causes at the age of 86.
DSC 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 Major (Air Corps) Herschel Harper Green (ASN: 0-659696), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-51 Fighter Airplane in the 317th Fighter Squadron, 325th Fighter Group, FIFTEENTH Air Force, in action over ***** on 21 August 1944. Arriving over the target area prior to the heavy bombers, the fighter group led by Major Green conducted a highly successful fighter sweep. Although the assigned mission was completed when the bombers withdrew from the target, Major Green having observed over sixty enemy aircraft on the airdrome prior to the bomb run, continued circling, for despite the devastation inflicted on the airdrome only three enemy aircraft fires were visible. Fully cognizant of the extreme danger of a low-level attack on an active enemy installation, Major Green carefully planned, then skillfully initiated a daring low-level trial attack through smoke, dust and potential ground fire. The supreme risk, instituted by gallant action, proved that the limited visibility rendered ground weapons' fire ineffective. Thereupon, Major Green courageously led ten P-51s on six successive strafing attacks, and so successfully covered the entire area that thirty-seven enemy aircraft were severely damaged or destroyed. Major Green's display of extreme valor, intrepid leadership, and unusual initiative reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States of America.
(Citation Needed) - SYNOPSIS: Major (Air Corps) Herschel H. Green (ASN: 0-659696), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-47 Fighter Airplane in the 317th Fighter Squadron, 325th Fighter Group, FIFTEENTH Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces on 30 January 1944, in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations, during World War II. On this date Major Green shot down a total of SIX enemy aircraft in a single day. Major Green's unquestionable valor in aerial combat is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 15th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.
General Orders: Headquarters, U.S. Army-Mediterranean Theater of Operations, General Orders No. 47 (1944)
World War II Fighter Ace. He was one of the top American fighter pilots during the Second World War, piloting a variety of military aircraft including the P-40, P-47 and P-51. He achieved ace status as a pilot in both the P-47 and P-51 aircraft. He was a member of the 317th and 325th fighter squadrons serving in both the European and African combat theaters. He flew 100 combat operations between 1943 and 1944, flying his first combat mission on May 19, 1943. He was credited with shooting down 18 enemy aircraft and destroying an additional ten aircraft on the ground. During one combat engagement he personally shot down six German enemy bombers before being forced to break off the attack, resulting from lack of ammunition. He was appointed commanding officer of the 317th Fighter Squadron on March 25, 1944. After the war he was appointed Commander of the 4th Fighter Group flying the new Lockheed F-80 Shooting Star. He was promoted to the rank of Colonel at the age of 30, after only eight years of military service, one of the youngest to achieve such military honors and distinction. Following his military service he worked for the Hughes Aircraft Company from 1964 until his retirement in 1982. He was the recipient of the Distinguished Service Cross, the Silver Star, two Distinguished Flying Cross medals, the French Croix de Guerre with Palm and the Purple Heart. In 1996 he published his autobiography "Herky: Memoirs of a Checkertail Ace." He died at a Southern California hospital from undisclosed causes at the age of 86.
