Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Arthur
Bernard
Cleaveland
DNB 1951
April 18, 1918

–

April 15, 1951

Born:

Springfield

, 

Ohio

Home:

Springfield

, 

Ohio

Buried: 

Springfield

, 

Ohio

Cemetery:

Ferncliff Cemetery

Arthur Cleaveland entered service in World War II, flying combat in North Africa with the Royal Canadian Air Force, before transferring to the U.S. Army Air Forces in December 1942. During World War II, he became a U.S. Army Air Forces ACE-In-A-DAY, credited with shooting down 5 enemy aircraft in aerial combat on April 18, 1943; his birthday. He and two of his comrades, both of whom also shot down 5 enemy aircraft in a single engagement, became the FIRST single-day ACEs of World War II in a massive mission to intercept Luftwaffe Ju-52 transports evacuating German troops from Tunisia to Sicily. After the war he transferred to the new U.S. Air Force, serving until his death in Washington, D.C. on April 15, 1951, after a long illness.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    66th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    57th Fighter Group

    Division:

    9th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Arthur Bernard Cleaveland (ASN: 0-884136), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a Fighter Pilot of the 66th Fighter Squadron, 57th Fighter Group, NINTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the Mediterranean Theater of Action 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 Forces

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    66th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    57th Fighter Group

    Division:

    9th Air Force

    Action Date:

    April 18, 1943
    Headquarters, 9th Air Force, General Orders No. 49 (June 7, 1943)

    (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 First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Arthur Bernard Cleaveland (ASN: 0-884136), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as a Fighter Pilot of the 66th Fighter Squadron, 57th Fighter Group, NINTH Air Force, in aerial operations in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations, on 18 April 1943. On this date, Lieutenant Cleaveland shot down five JU-52 aircraft. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by First Lieutenant Cleaveland, 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.