Navy Federal Credit Union

Kenneth Gradle received a Silver Star for actions during the first American counteroffensive in the Pacific in April 1942, a week before the Doolittle Raid on Japan. Seven Distinguished Service Crosses were awarded to Air Crews of B-27 Flying Fortresses of the 19th Bombardment Group (H) and ten B-25 Mitchell Bombers of the 3d Bombardment Group (L), and more than 35 Silver Stars were awarded for the four-day operation. He subsequently earned two more Silver Stars.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Staff Sergeant

    Batallion:

    14th Reconnaissance Squadron

    Regiment:

    19th Bombardment Group (H)

    Division:

    5th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    Headquarters, 5th Air Force, General Orders No. 52 (December 18, 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 Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant Kenneth A. Gradle (ASN: 6912391), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Radio Operator of a B-17 Flying Fortress Bomber in the 14th Reconnaissance Squadron, 19th Bombardment Group (Heavy), FIFTH Air Force, in aerial operations in the Southwest Pacific Theater of Operations, in 1942. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Staff Sergeant Gradle, 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.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Staff Sergeant

    Batallion:

    14th Reconnaissance Squadron

    Regiment:

    19th Bombardment Group (H)

    Division:

    Far East Air Force

    Action Date:

    April 10 – 14, 1942

    Headquarters, Allied Air Forces in the Southwest Pacific Area, General Orders No. 20 (June 20, 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 Staff Sergeant Kenneth A. Gradle (ASN: 6912391), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Radio Operator of a B-17 Flying Fortress Bomber in the 14th Reconnaissance Squadron, 19th Bombardment Group (Heavy), Far East Air Force, while participating in bombing missions during the period 10 through 14 April 1942, in action against enemy Japanese forces in the Philippine islands. Staff Sergeant Gradle participated in a daring 4-day mission under the command of Brigadier General Ralph Royce, who led a flight of seven B-25Cs and three B-17s from Australia to a staging field at Del Monte on Mindanao in the Philippine Islands. Over the following two days the B-25’s and B-17’s attacked the many ships and the docks at Cebu, the air and harbor facilities at Davao, and Nichols Field on Luzon. The B-25 Mitchell’s were involved in over twenty sorties. They sank one Japanese transport and possibly two others. They also shot down three Japanese aircraft. All but one of the aircraft returned to Australia without the loss of a single flyer, and they brought out a number of important military and diplomatic personnel who had gathered at Del Monte to await evacuation. The personal courage and zealous devotion to duty displayed by Staff Sergeant Gradle during this period have upheld the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the Far East Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Staff Sergeant

    Batallion:

    14th Reconnaissance Squadron

    Regiment:

    19th Bombardment Group (H)

    Division:

    Far East Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    Headquarters, Allied Air Forces in the Southwest Pacific Area, General Orders No. 42 (August 27, 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 Silver Star to Staff Sergeant Kenneth A. Gradle (ASN: 6912391), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Radio Operator of a B-17 Flying Fortress Bomber in the 14th Reconnaissance Squadron, 19th Bombardment Group (Heavy), Far East Air Force, in aerial operations in the Southwest Pacific Theater of Operations, in 1942. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Staff Sergeant Gradle, 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.