Navy Federal Credit Union

Laverne Saunders graduated from the University of South Dakota in 1924 and the U.S. Military Academy in 1928. On 7 December 1941, Laverne Saunders, then a major commanding the 12th Bombardment Group, was one of the few to get a bomber into the air after the devastating surprise attack, but was too late to find and strike the Japanese fleet. He retired with disability in 1947 as a U.S. Army Brigadier General.

Awards Received

  • Army Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Brigadier General

    Regiment:

    11th Bombardment Group (H)

    Division:

    13th Air Force

    Action Date:

    July 31, 1942 – 1943

    War Department, General Orders No. 2 (January 13, 1943)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Brigadier General Laverne George Saunders, United States Army Air Forces, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility. Brigadier General Saunders has displayed marked efficiency in the exercise of his command of the 11th Bombardment Group during a period of continuous and intensive employment since July 31, 1942. He has at all times exercised good judgment and marked spirit of cooperation while performing his duties under operational control of the Navy. Under his leadership, in the conduct of ground activities and on numerous air missions, the group has inflicted great damage to defensive Japanese naval, ground, and air forces as well as to important installations in the Solomon Islands. Such damage has included the probably destruction of one aircraft carrier with 20 hits and 17 near misses being made on enemy surface vessels. Out of a total of 240 air contacts, his group has destroyed 60 enemy airplanes and damaged 33 others. Throughout the period, while directing the operations of the 11th Bombardment Group, General Saunders carried the additional responsibilities of air base commander, including extremely difficult problems in logistics, administration, airdrome improvement, and security. The leadership and ability of General Saunders under trying conditions and in the face of the enemy have been of outstanding character. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Saunders and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.

  • Navy Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Brigadier General [then Colonel]

    Regiment:

    11th Bombardment Group (H)

    Division:

    13th Air Force

    Action Date:

    November 18, 1942

    Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 313 (April 1943)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Brigadier General [then Colonel] Laverne George Saunders, United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service as Commanding Officer of the 11th Bombardment Group (H), THIRTEENTH Air Force, U.S. Army Air Forces, in action against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands on 18 November 1942. Brigadier General Saunders led his group of B-17 Heavy Bombers in a daring daylight raid on enemy shipping in the face of severe anti-aircraft and enemy fighter opposition in the Buin-Tonolei area of the Solomon Islands. At least two 1,000-pound bomb hits were scored on enemy vessels and 12 enemy aircraft were destroyed. After his own airplane was badly damaged and it became necessary to land his plane in enemy territory, he skillfully accomplished a water landing near shore thereby permitting the remaining members of his crew to reach safety. Brigadier General Saunders’ outstanding courage, daring airmanship and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Armed Service.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Colonel (Air Corps)

    Regiment:

    11th Bombardment Group (H)

    Division:

    13th Air Force

    Action Date:

    1942

    Headquarters, U.S. Army Forces in the South Pacific Area, General Orders No. 12 (January 10, 1943)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Colonel (Air Corps) Laverne George Saunders (ASN: 0-17285), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Command Pilot of a B-17 Flying Fortress Bomber and as Commanding Officer of the 11th Bombardment Group (Heavy), THIRTEENTH Air Force, in aerial operations in the Southwest Pacific Theater of Operations, in 1942. As Flight Leader of a formation of six heavy bombardment airplanes, Colonel Saunders proceeded through bat weather on the initial mission to bomb and destroy enemy installations and supplies in the Lunga Point and Kukum dock areas of the Solomon Islands. Reaching his objective, he courageously pressed his attack and successfully completed the mission in spite of the fact that two B-17s were damaged by anti-aircraft fighter fire. Two of the seven attacking float Zeros were shot down. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Colonel Saunders, 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.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Brigadier General

    Regiment:

    58th Bombardment Wing

    Division:

    China-Burma-India Theater

    Action Date:

    World War II

    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Brigadier General Laverne George Saunders, United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commanding General, 58th Bombardment Wing, China-Burma-India Theater, during World war II. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Saunders and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Brigadier General

    Regiment:

    20th Bomber Command

    Division:

    China-Burma-India Theater

    Action Date:

    World War II

    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Brigadier General Laverne George Saunders, United States Army Air Forces, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commanding General, 20th Bomber Command, China-Burma-India Theater, during World War II. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Saunders and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Colonel (Air Corps)

    Regiment:

    11th Bombardment Group (H)

    Division:

    13th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Colonel (Air Corps) Laverne George Saunders, United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as Commanding Officer, 11th Bombardment Group (Heavy), THIRTEENTH Air Force, during World War II. 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.