During World War II, Joseph Forster became a U.S. Army Air Forces ACE, credited with shooting down 9 enemy aircraft in aerial combat. After the war he transferred to the new U.S. Air Force, including flying combat missions in Vietnam before he retired in 1971 as a Lieutenant Colonel.
Sponsored by:
Joseph
Morelle
Forster
October 25, 1919
–
April 18, 2013
Born:
Gainesville
,
Florida
Home:
Gainesville
,
Florida
Buried:
Phoenix
,
Arizona
Cemetery:
National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona
Awards Received
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
-
Silver Star
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Captain (Air Corps)Batallion:
432d Fighter SquadronRegiment:
475th Fighter GroupDivision:
5th Air ForceAction Date:
World War II
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain (Air Corps) Joseph Morelle Forster (ASN: 0-748943), 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 a P-38 Fighter Pilot of the 432d Fighter Squadron, 475th Fighter Group, FIFTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the Southwest Pacific 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.
-
Silver Star
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Captain (Air Corps)Batallion:
432d Fighter SquadronRegiment:
475th Fighter GroupDivision:
5th Air ForceAction Date:
World War II
Headquarters, Far East Air Forces, General Orders No. 1332 (July 3, 1945)(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 Captain (Air Corps) Joseph Morelle Forster (ASN: 0-748943), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-38 Lightning Fighter Airplane in the 432d Fighter Squadron, 475th Fighter Group, FIFTH Air Force, in aerial operations in the Pacific Theater of Operations during World War II. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Captain Forster, 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:
Captain (Air Corps)Batallion:
432d Fighter SquadronRegiment:
475th Fighter GroupDivision:
5th Air ForceAction Date:
World War II
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain (Air Corps) Joseph Morelle Forster (ASN: 0-748943), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a P-38 Fighter Pilot of the 432d Fighter Squadron, 475th Fighter Group, FIFTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the Southwest Pacific 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 Flying Cross
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Captain (Air Corps)Batallion:
432d Fighter SquadronRegiment:
475th Fighter GroupDivision:
5th Air ForceAction Date:
World War II
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain (Air Corps) Joseph Morelle Forster (ASN: 0-748943), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a P-38 Fighter Pilot of the 432d Fighter Squadron, 475th Fighter Group, FIFTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the Southwest Pacific 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.