This Deceased Army Profile is not currently maintained by any Member.
If you would like to take responsibility for researching and maintaining this Deceased profile please click
HERE
Wall/Plot Coordinates cremated and scattered off the coast of Los Angele
Official Badges
Unofficial Badges
Additional Information
Last Known Activity:
AAF Tail#40-2267 Take Off Order 15 Target - Kobe
Howard Sessler was one of the 80 airmen who, under the leadership of Jimmy Doolittle, disembarked from the U.S.S. Hornet in the first bombing raid over Tokyo in World War II. Following the raid he remained in the China-Burma-India Theater until July before deploying to the European Theater of Action where he served from September 1942 until September 1943. He then flew combat in the Mediterranean Theater from September 1944 until the end of the war.
Pilot
Lt.
Donald G. Smith
Oldham, SD
KIA1
Nov 12, 1942
Co-Pilot
Lt.
Griffith Paul Williams
Chicago, IL
POW2
Jul 14, 1998
Nav/Bomb.
Lt.
Howard Albert Sessler
Boston, MA
Feb 09, 2001
Engineer
Sgt
Edward Joseph Saylor
Brusett, MT
Gunner/Physician
Lt.
(Dr.) Thomas Robert Doc White
Haiku, Maui, HI
Nov 29, 1992
Other Comments:
Distinguished Flying Cross
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Howard Albert Sessler (ASN: 0-43165), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement as Navigator/Bombardier of a B-25 Bomber of the 1st Special Aviation Project (Doolittle Raider Force), while participating in a highly destructive raid on the Japanese mainland on 18 April 1942. Lieutenant Sessler with 79 other officers and enlisted men volunteered for this mission knowing full well that the chances of survival were extremely remote, and executed his part in it with great skill and daring. This achievement reflects high credit on himself and the military service.
WWII - European Theater of Operations/Rhineland Campaign (1944-45)
From Month/Year
September / 1944
To Month/Year
March / 1945
Description (Rhineland Campaign 15 September 1944 to 21 March 1945) Attempting to outflank the Siegfried Line, the Allies tried an airborne attack on Holland on 17 September 1944. But the operation failed, and the enemy was able to strengthen his defensive line from Holland to Switzerland. Little progress was made on the ground, but the aerial attacks on strategic targets continued. Then, having regained the initiative after defeating a German offensive in the Ardennes in December 1944, the Allies drove through to the Rhine, establishing a bridgehead across the river at Remagen.
