The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Air Corps) Ellis William Wright, Jr. (ASN: 0-393170), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-40 Warhawk Fighter Airplane of the 49th Fighter Group, FIFTH Air Force, in action over the Lae-Malahang Area, New Guinea, on 3 March 1943. In action against enemy fighters, Captain Wright shot down three enemy aircraft in less than an hour. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Captain Wright, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Service Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Captain (Air Corps)Batallion:
8th Fighter SquadronRegiment:
49th Fighter GroupDivision:
5th Air ForceAction Date:
November 25, 1942 – January 13, 1943
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 Captain (Air Corps) Ellis William Wright, Jr. (ASN: 0-393170), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flights while serving as a P-40 Fighter Pilot of the 49th Fighter Group, FIFTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in the Southwest Pacific Area from 25 November 1942 to 13 January 1943. During this period, Captain Wright participated in more than fifty operational flight missions during which hostile contact was probable and expected. These flights included patrol and interception missions against enemy fighters and bombing airplanes and strafing and dive bombing attacks on enemy installations and shipping in the New Guinea area. Throughout these operations, Captain Wright demonstrated outstanding ability and devotion to duty.
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Distinguished Service Cross
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Captain (Air Corps)Regiment:
49th Fighter GroupDivision:
5th Air ForceAction Date:
April 11, 1943
Headquarters, U.S. Army Forces in the Far East, General Orders No. 37 (July 7, 1943)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 Captain (Air Corps) Ellis William Wright, Jr. (ASN: 0-393170), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-40 Fighter Airplane in Headquarters, 49th Fighter Group, FIFTH Air Force, in action near Oro Bay, New Guinea, on 11 April 1943. While Captain Wright was visiting an advanced Air Base, the alert was sounded for approaching enemy aircraft, and he volunteered to join the intercepting formation. Engine trouble prevented his leaving the base with them, but shortly thereafter he took off alone. He encountered and attacked a formation of from twelve to sixteen enemy aircraft, forcing one down in flames. Continuing his flight, he shot down another enemy plane. As he joined our formation, he saw that one of our planes was being attacked by several of the enemy. He dove into the hostile formation, forced it to disperse, and hit still another enemy aircraft, causing it to explode. In this voluntary action over the sea thirty miles from land, Captain Wright showed admirable daring and skill. Captain Wright’s unquestionable valor in aerial combat is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 5th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.