US WWII B-25 Radio Operator Named DFC & AM, Solomons 1943
This item is listed for historical interest only. It was listed on our site previously but has been sold and is no longer available for purchase.
Sold for: $595.00

Original era manufacture. Nicely engraved medals with their proper cases and period 5th Air Force SSI. A flimsy gives details of the citation which accompanied the Air Medal. This recent acquisition of this named DFC & Air Medal, illustrates for us the benefits we as collectors enjoy via the resources we have at our fingertips through the internet. When we have a bit of information to begin our searches, the results can be, as in this instance, very gratifying. The citation for the AM reads as follows; "For meritorious achievement while participating in an aerial flight, as radio operator of a medium bombardment airplane on 20 July 1943, in the Solomons Islands area. While Sergeant O'Neil was on a mission to locate and destroy enemy naval vessels, the target was sighted. Despite terrific and concentrated antiaircraft fire from four enemy warships, the airplane, in which he was a crew member, dived from a height of 2,000 to 50 feet. coming in at a speed of 300 miles per hour, his bomber released three 500-pound bombs, two of which were direct hits, the third a near miss. The target, a Japanese destroyer, was confirmed as sunk". A stirring account to be sure, but leaves us desiring additional information. I began a search using a google for Japanese WWII destroyer losses. The response provided the names and dates of the ships lost, I scrolled down the list and found a single entry for the Kiyonami, lost on 20 July 1943 in the Kolombangara region of the Solomons. Another search entry using the destroyers name provided details regarding the Kiyonamis mission on that fateful day. She was attempting the rescue of another Japanese destroyers crew, IJN Yugure which was sunk by USN TB-Fs on the 19th of July. The B-25 attack by ONeils aircraft resulted in the destruction of the Kiyonami and the entire complement of both Japanese destroyers crews were lost. A final search using the name of the destroyer Yugure, gave information on her participation in the Battle of Kolombangara on July 12 where she assisted in the sinking of the USS Guin and the damage of the US Navys light cruisers, USS St.Louis and USS Honolulu whose bows were blown off by Japanese destroyers torpedoes. Amazing, history at our fingertips.