Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Cyrus
Raymond
Gladen
November 4, 1920

–

August 7, 1943

Born:

Bemidji

, 

Minnesota

Home:

Guthrie

, 

Minnesota

Buried: 

Portland

, 

Oregon

Cemetery:

Willamette National Cemetery

Cyrus Gladen enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1940, and was trained as a Chemical Warfare Specialist before transferring to the U.S. Army Air Forces as an aircraft mechanic in 1941. He was stationed at Wheeler Field, Hawaii, when the Japanese attacked on December 7, 1941, and he entered the Aviation Cadet Program one month later. He became a World War II ACE, credited with destroying 5 enemy aircraft in aerial combat, plus 2 probables and 3 damaged.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Captain (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    44th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    18th Fighter Group

    Division:

    13th Air Force

    Action Date:

    August 31, 1943
    Headquarters, U.S. Army Forces in the South Pacific Area, General Orders No. 174 (February 1, 1944)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Air Corps) Cyrus Raymond Gladen (ASN: :0-663035), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy as a Fighter Pilot of the 44th Fighter Squadron, 18th Fighter Group, FIFTEENTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat over the Solomon Islands as the leader of an element of two fighter airplanes on combat air patrol over Allied shipping in Barakoma Harbor on 31 August 1943. He lead his element in an attack on a superior force of enemy aircraft during which her personally shot down three Japanese Val dive-bombers and assisted in successfully dispersing the others. His coolness under fire and his superior flying ability marked his courageous as exemplary of the highest traditions of the United States Army Air Forces.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    44th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    18th Fighter Group

    Division:

    13th Air Force

    Action Date:

    June 30 – July 8, 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 First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Cyrus Raymond Gladen (ASN: :0-663035), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a Fighter Pilot of the 44th Fighter Squadron, 18th Fighter Group, FIFTEENTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the Pacific Theater of Operations during the period from 30 June to 8 July 1943, in ten fighter sorties of a hazardous nature during which attack by enemy airplanes or exposure to enemy fire was probable and expected and in numerous instances encountered. These flights make some thirty of like nature in which he has taken part. In addition he has accomplished the destruction of two enemy airplanes in aerial combat. His recognized accomplishments are a credit to him and the Army Air Forces.