Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Horace
Blake
Moranville
POW (WWII) Escapee
February 14, 1923

–

July 11, 2000

Born:

Guide Rock

, 

Nebraska

Home:

Hastings

, 

Nebraska

Buried: 

Portland

, 

Oregon

Cemetery:

Willamette National Cemetery

Horace Moranville became a World War II Navy ACE, credited with shooting down six enemy aircraft in aerial combat. Shot down, captured, and held for two months as a Prisoner of War, in his successful subsequent escape and recovery he became the ONLY U.S. Navy ACE of the war to be taken POW and to subsequently escape.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant, [then Lieutenant, Junior Grade]

    Batallion:

    Fighting Squadron 11 (VF-11)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Hornet

    Action Date:

    November 5, 1944

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant, [then Lieutenant, Junior Grade] Horace Blake Moranville (NSN: 0-291317), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a pilot in Fighting Squadron ELEVEN (VF-11), attached to the U.S.S. Hornet, during operations against enemy Japanese forces in the vicinity of the Philippine Islands, November 5, 1944. Engaging in a sweep of enemy airfields, Lieutenant Moranville boldly attacked and destroyed two enemy fighter planes and one twin-engine bomber. His intrepid airmanship, aggressiveness, and unwavering devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Military Service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant, Junior Grade

    Batallion:

    Fighting Squadron 11 (VF-11)

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant, Junior Grade Horace Blake Moranville (NSN: 0-291317), United States Navy, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Fighter Pilot in Fighting Squadron ELEVEN (VF-11), during World War II.

  • Prisoner of War Medal

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant, Junior Grade

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (French Indo China)

    Action Date:

    January 12, 1945 – March 28, 1945
    NARA Database: Records of World War II Prisoners of War, created, 1942 – 1947

    Lieutenant, Junior Grade Horace Blake Moranville (NSN: 0-291317), United States Navy, was captured by Japanese forces after he was shot down on January 12, 1945, and held as a Prisoner of War until he successfully escaped, evaded the Japanese for thirteen days, and finally was returned to U.S. forces on March 28, 1945