The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major Benjamin Harrison Emmert, Jr. (ASN: 0-666903/9578A), United States Air Force, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving with the 336th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 4th Fighter-Interceptor Group, FIFTH Air Force, on 4 March 1951, as leader of a flight of four F-86 type aircraft on a combat aerial patrol in the Sinuiju area of North Korea. Major Emmert repeatedly engaged his flight with enemy high performance jet aircraft in a dogfight which ranged from altitudes of above 30,000 feet, through an overcast, to 15,000 feet. Major Emmert’s repeated attacks upon the enemy resulted in his personal destruction of one enemy aircraft. Through Major Emmert’s heroic and extraordinary achievement and meritorious devotion to duty in leading his unit to the successful completion of the assigned missions, he has brought great credit upon himself, his comrades in arms of the United Nations, and the United States Air Force.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Prisoner of War Medal
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Silver Star
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
First Lieutenant (Air Corps)Batallion:
318th Fighter SquadronRegiment:
325th Fighter GroupDivision:
15th Air ForceAction Date:
June 11, 1944
Headquarters, 15th Air Force, General Orders No. 2446 (August 9, 1944)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) Benjamin Harrison Emmert, Jr. (ASN: 0-666903/9578A), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a P-39 Fighter Pilot of the 318th Fighter Squadron, 325th Fighter Group, FIFTEENTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in the North African and Mediterranean Theaters of Operations during World War II. Consistently performing vital strategic combat missions against heavy enemy opposition from highly aggressive fighter aircraft and intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire, Lieutenant Emmert has displayed outstanding courage, aggressiveness and intense devotion to duty throughout all engagements. Although his aircraft has been frequently severely damaged by heavy enemy opposition he has consistently fought through to his target, aiding materially in the utter destruction of vitally important enemy installations. Bringing his ship through severe and adverse weather conditions, over rugged terrain and surmounting many other major obstacles, he has gallantly engaged, fought and defeated the enemy with complete disregard for his personal safety and against overwhelming odds. His conspicuous and extraordinary achievements throughout these many missions against the enemy have been of inestimable value to successful combat operations and have reflected He retired as a U.S. Army General. credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States of America.
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Prisoner of War Medal
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
First Lieutenant (Air Corps)Batallion:
318th Fighter SquadronRegiment:
325th Fighter GroupDivision:
Prisoner of War (Germany)Action Date:
September 1, 1944 – May 1945
NARA Database: Records of World War II Prisoners of War, created, 1942 – 7537First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Benjamin Harrison Emmert, Jr. (ASN: 0-666903), United States Army Air Forces, was captured by German forces after he was shot down on a strafing mission in Hungary on 1 September 1944, and was held as a Prisoner of War until his return to U.S. Military Control at the end of hostilities in May 1945.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
First Lieutenant (Air Corps)Batallion:
318th Fighter SquadronRegiment:
325th Fighter GroupDivision:
15th Air ForceAction Date:
July 31, 1944
Headquarters, 15th Air Force, General Orders No. 2979 (August 31, 1944)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Benjamin Harrison Emmert, Jr. (ASN: 0-666903/9578A), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy as a P-51 Fighter Pilot of the 318th Fighter Squadron, 325th Fighter Group, FIFTEENTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the Mediterranean Theater of Action during World War II. On 31 July 1944, Lieutenant Emmert led a group formation as escort to heavy bombers attacking strategic enemy installations in Rumania. Approaching the target, his squadron became separated from the rest of the formation, and sighting hostile ships in the distance, Lieutenant Emmert led his formation to engage the enemy. Despite the overwhelming superiority of hostile ships, with complete disregard for his personal safety, Lieutenant Emmert intercepted the hostile force. In the ensuing engagement, displaying outstanding leadership, aggressiveness and combat proficiency, Lieutenant Emmert destroyed three enemy fighters and damaged five others. Throughout the aerial battle, his comrades accounted for fifteen additional hostile aircraft. Through his highly effective fighter cover, the bombers were thus enabled to complete a highly successful mission and return to base unmolested. By his conspicuous gallantry, professional skill and devotion to duty, as evidenced throughout over fifty-eight successful missions against the enemy and six enemy aircraft destroyed in aerial battle, Lieutenant Emmert has reflected great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States of America.