Navy Federal Credit Union

Vance Ludwig was credited with destroying three enemy aircraft in aerial combat during World War II, all of them coming in the mission for which he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross. He was Killed in Action on December 1, 1943, just months after earning the Distinguished Service Cross and only two weeks before it was published in General Orders.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    63d Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    56th Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    October 4, 1943

    Headquarters, European Theater of Operations, U.S. Army, General Orders No. 97 (December 17, 1943)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Vance Pierson Ludwig (ASN: 0-661342), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-47 Fighter Airplane in the 63d Fighter Squadron, 56th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in action over Germany on 4 October 1943. While acting as element leader of a fighter cover for a trailing bomber formation, Lieutenant Ludwig at the risk of his life attacked a greatly superior force of enemy fighter aircraft which was threatening the bomber formation. In a series of brilliantly executed attacks, Lieutenant Ludwig engaged the enemy and destroyed three planes, returning to England only after his ammunition was exhausted. This courage exhibited by Lieutenant Ludwig in these repeated attacks against greatly superior forces reflects the highest credit upon himself and the armed forces of the United States.