Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Claude
James
Crenshaw
December 12, 1918

–

March 17, 1972

Cemetery:

Victor Valley Memorial Park Cemetery

Prior to the DSC mission wherein Claude Crenshaw shot down FOUR aircraft in a single outing, he had already shot down 3 enemy aircraft. He finished the war as an ACE with 7 aerial victories. He left the service briefly, but returned to enlist in the U.S. Air Force, and retired in 1965 as a Lieutenant Colonel.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Captain (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    369th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    359th Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain (Air Corps) Claude James Crenshaw (AFSN: AO-692895/ASN: 0-692895), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as Pilot of a P-51 Fighter Airplane in the 369th Fighter Squadron, 359th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in action against the enemy 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.

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Captain (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    369th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    359th Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    November 21, 1944
    Headquarters, U.S. Strategic Forces in Europe, General Orders No. 29 (March 23, 1945)

    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) Claude James Crenshaw (AFSN: AO-692895/ASN: 0-692895), United States Army Air Forces, for 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) Claude James Crenshaw (AFSN: AO-692895/ASN: 0-692895), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-51 Fighter Airplane in the 369th Fighter Squadron, 359th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, while serving as Flight Leader of a bomber escort mission in the vicinity of Merseburg, Germany, on 21 November 1944. On this date, accompanied by only his wingman, Captain Crenshaw attacked a formation of one hundred enemy fighters having a top cover of thirty-five additional fighter aircraft. In his great desire to protect the bomber formation, he pursued the enemy relentlessly, destroying four of their aircraft and damaging still another despite the enemy’s vast numerical superiority. The outstanding heroism and determination to destroy the enemy displayed by Captain Crenshaw on this occasion are in keeping with the highest traditions of the Armed Forces of the United States.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Captain (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    369th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    359th Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain (Air Corps) Claude James Crenshaw (AFSN: AO-692895/ASN: 0-692895), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as Pilot of a P-51 Fighter Airplane in the 369th Fighter Squadron, 359th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in action against the enemy 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.