Arthur Powers entered service in World War II with the Royal Air Force in England, destroying 2.25 enemy aircraft in aerial combat with the 91st Squadron before transferring to the U.S. Army Air Forces in 1943. He subsequently became a U.S. Army Air Forces ACE-in-a-DAY, credited with shooting down 5 more enemy aircraft in aerial combat. He and two of his comrades, both of whom also shot down 5 enemy aircraft in a single engagement, became the FIRST single-day ACEs of World War II in a massive mission to intercept Luftwaffe Ju-52 transports evacuating German troops from Tunisia to Sicily. After the war he transferred to the new U.S. Air Force, and retired in 1963 as a Lieutenant Colonel.
Sponsored by:
MacArthur
Powers
March 19, 1916
–
February 3, 1996
Born:
Rockaway Beach
,
New York
Home:
Inwood
,
New York
Buried:
Riverside
,
California
Cemetery:
Riverside National Cemetery
Awards Received
-
Silver Star
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
-
Silver Star
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
First Lieutenant (Air Corps)Batallion:
314th Fighter SquadronRegiment:
324th Fighter GroupDivision:
9th Air ForceAction Date:
April 18, 1943
Headquarters, 9th Air Force, General Orders No. 49 (June 7, 1943)(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: 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) MacArthur Powers (ASN: 0-884149), 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 314th Fighter Squadron, 324th Fighter Group, NINTH Air Force, in aerial operations in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations, on 18 April 1943. On this date, Lieutenant Powers shot down four Ju-52 transport aircraft and one Me-109 fighter airplane in aerial combat. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by First Lieutenant Powers, 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.
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
First Lieutenant (Air Corps)Batallion:
314th Fighter SquadronRegiment:
324th Fighter GroupDivision:
9th Air ForceAction Date:
World War II
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: First Lieutenant (Air Corps) MacArthur Powers (ASN: 0-884149), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a P-40 Fighter Pilot of the 314th Fighter Squadron, 324th Fighter Group, NINTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the European Theater of Operations during World War II. The skillful and zealous manner in which he has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.