Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
James
Bruce
Morehead
August 16, 1916

–

March 11, 2012

Cemetery:

Arlington National Cemetery

James Morehead flew combat missions over a three-year span of World War II, becoming an ACE with a total of 7 aerial victories. After the war he transferred to the new U.S. Air Force, flying combat missions in the Korean War, before leaving active duty in 1955. He remained in the Air Force Reserves in 1967 as a Colonel.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Captain (Air Corps), [then Second Lieutenant]

    Batallion:

    8th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    49th Fighter Group

    Division:

    5th Air Force

    Action Date:

    August 23, 1942
    Headquarters, 5th Air Force, General Orders No. 58 (December 31, 1942)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Air Corps), [then Second Lieutenant] James Bruce Morehead (ASN: 0-413480), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action as a Pilot of a P-40 Warhawk Fighter Airplane in the 8th Fighter Squadron, 49th Fighter Group, FIFTH Air Force, in action over Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia, on 23 August 1942. Captain Morehead led his flight in intercepting a formation of twenty-seven enemy bombers escorted by fifteen Zero fighters, which were approaching Darwin. On his first pass he shot down the lead airplane of a three plane flight of enemy aircraft. After regaining position he made a second attack and destroyer another Zero. His ability and courage in the conduct of this mission are worthy of commendation. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Captain Morehead, 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 Forces

    Rank:

    Captain (Air Corps), [then Second Lieutenant]

    Batallion:

    8th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    49th Pursuit Group

    Division:

    Far East Air Forces

    Action Date:

    February 25, 1942
    Headquarters, 5th Air Force, General Orders No. 123 (June 18, 1943)

    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 Captain (Air Corps), [then Second Lieutenant] James Bruce Morehead (ASN: 0-413480), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight over Java. On 25 February 1942, Captain Morehead was engaged on an interception mission when he contacted a formation of enemy bombers. In the ensuing aerial battle, Captain Morehead shot down two of the hostile aircraft. This action is worthy of the highest commendation.

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Second Lieutenant (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    8th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    49th Pursuit Group

    Division:

    Far East Air Force

    Action Date:

    April 25, 1942
    Headquarters, Southwest Pacific Theater of Operations, General Orders No. 27 (September 1, 1942)

    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 Second Lieutenant (Air Corps) James Bruce Morehead (ASN: 0-413480), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-40 Fighter Airplane in the 8th Fighter Squadron, 49th Pursuit Group, FAR EAST Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces on 25 April 1942, during an air mission Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia. When commanding a flight of four fighter planes, Second Lieutenant Morehead sighted twenty-eight enemy bombers protected by enemy fighters. Disregarding the accompanying enemy fighters, he immediately led his flight in an attack against the bombers, and succeeded in shooting down two of them. He then engaged an enemy fighter and shot it down also. In spite of the great hostile superiority in numbers, Second Lieutenant Morehead succeeded in returning to his airdrome with all planes of his flight, although his own plane was heavily damaged by enemy fire. Second Lieutenant Morehead’s unquestionable valor in aerial combat is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the Far East Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Major (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    94th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    1st Fighter Group

    Division:

    15th Air Force

    Action Date:

    June 6, 1944
    Headquarters, Southwest Pacific Theater of Operations, General Orders No. 27 (September 1, 1942)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Service Cross to Major (Air Corps) James Bruce Morehead (ASN: 0-413480), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-40 Fighter Airplane in the 94th Fighter Squadron, 1st Fighter Group, FIFTEENTH Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces during World War II.

    NOTE: We have been unable to fully verify this second award of the D.S.C. for James Morehead, but there is ample evidence he was, in fact, awarded it. It may have been belatedly awarded for his final aerial victory of the war which occurred on June 6, 1944, but which was not officially credited until 1990.]

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    94th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    1st Fighter Group

    Division:

    15th Air Force

    Action Date:

    August 17, 1944
    Headquarters, 15th Air Force, General Orders No. 3938 (October 14, 1944)

    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 Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps) James Bruce Morehead (ASN: 0-413480), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight against the enemy in the North African and Mediterranean theaters of operations. Throughout many long and hazardous combat missions against vital strategic targets deep in enemy occupied territory, though confronted by heavy enemy opposition from highly aggressive enemy fighters and intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire, Lieutenant Colonel Morehead consistently displayed outstanding courage, aggressiveness and intense devotion to duty throughout all engagements. With his aircraft frequently severely damaged by heavy enemy fire, he has courageously remained at his station, battling his way through to his targets to aid materially in the utter destruction of vitally important enemy installations and supplies. Heedless of severe and adverse weather conditions encountered over rugged mountainous terrain and surmounting many other major obstacles that faced him during these hazardous missions, he has gallantly engaged, fought and defeated the enemy with complete disregard for his personal safety against overwhelming odds. The conspicuous and extraordinary achievements throughout these many missions against the enemy have been of inestimable value to successful combat operations and have reflected great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States of America.