Virgil Meroney became a World War II ACE, credited with the destruction of 9 enemy aircraft in aerial combat, plus 1 damaged, before being shot down by flak and taken as a Prisoner of War on April 8, 1944. He escaped from captivity on April 7, 1945, and made his way to American forces on April 19, 1945. During the Vietnam War he served as Deputy Commander for Operations and then Vice Commander of the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing at Ubon Royal Thai AFB, Thailand, from February 1968 to February 1969. During this time, Colonel Meroney flew 141 combat missions in the F-4 Phantom II, and managed to fly at least one combat mission with his son, Lieutenant Virgil K. Meroney, III, before his son was Killed in Action in March 1969. He retired in 1970 as a U.S. Air Force Colonel.
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Awards Received
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Silver Star
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Legion of Merit
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Prisoner of War Medal
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Captain (Air Corps)Batallion:
487th Fighter SquadronRegiment:
352d Fighter GroupDivision:
8th Air ForceAction Date:
World War II
Headquarters, 8th Air Force, General Orders No. 337 (May 3, 1944)(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) Virgil Kersh Meroney, II (ASN: 0-732305), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-47 Thunderbolt Fighter Airplane in the 487th Fighter Squadron, 352d Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in aerial operations in the European Theater of Operations, during World War II. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Captain Meroney, 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.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
ColonelAction Date:
February 1969 – December 1970
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Colonel Virgil Kersh Meroney, II (ASN: 0-732305), United States Air Force, was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States, culminating as Assistant Chief of Safety and then Chief of Safety with Headquarters Tactical Air Command at Langley AFB, Virginia, from February 1969 to December 1970. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Meroney culminate a long and distinguished career in the service of his country and his dedicated contributions in the Service of his Country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Captain (Air Corps)Batallion:
487th Fighter SquadronRegiment:
352d Fighter GroupDivision:
8th Air ForceAction Date:
World War II
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain (Air Corps) Virgil Kersh Meroney, II (ASN: 0-732305), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a P-47 Fighter Pilot of the 487th Fighter Squadron, 352d Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the 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.
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Prisoner of War Medal
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Captain (Air Corps)Batallion:
487th Fighter SquadronRegiment:
352d Fighter GroupDivision:
Prisoner of War (Germany)Action Date:
April 8, 1944 – Escaped April 7, 1945
NARA Database: Records of World War II Prisoners of War, created, 1942 – 34575Captain (Air Corps) Virgil Kersh Meroney, II (ASN: 0-732305), United States Army Air Forces, was captured by German forces after his fighter airplane was shot down by flak over Germany on 8 April 1944, and was held as a Prisoner of War until his successful escape from captivity on 7 April 1945. He returned to Allied lines on 19 April 1945.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Captain (Air Corps)Batallion:
487th Fighter SquadronRegiment:
352d Fighter GroupDivision:
8th Air ForceAction Date:
World War II
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain (Air Corps) Virgil Kersh Meroney, II (ASN: 0-732305), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a P-47 Fighter Pilot of the 487th Fighter Squadron, 352d Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the 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.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
ColonelRegiment:
8th Tactical Fighter WingAction Date:
Vietnam War
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Colonel Virgil Kersh Meroney, II (ASN: 0-732305), United States Air Force, was awarded a Silver Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Sixth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as Vice Commander, 8th Tactical Fighter Wing, in Southeast Asia, in 1968. 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.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Captain (Air Corps)Batallion:
487th Fighter SquadronRegiment:
352d Fighter GroupDivision:
8th Air ForceAction Date:
World War II
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain (Air Corps) Virgil Kersh Meroney, II (ASN: 0-732305), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded a Fourth Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fifth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a P-47 Fighter Pilot of the 487th Fighter Squadron, 352d Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the 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.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Captain (Air Corps)Batallion:
487th Fighter SquadronRegiment:
352d Fighter GroupDivision:
8th Air ForceAction Date:
World War II
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain (Air Corps) Virgil Kersh Meroney, II (ASN: 0-732305), 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-47 Fighter Pilot of the 487th Fighter Squadron, 352d Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the 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.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
ColonelRegiment:
8th Tactical Fighter WingAction Date:
Vietnam War
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Colonel Virgil Kersh Meroney, II (ASN: 0-732305), United States Air Force, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in addition to a previously awarded Silver Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Seventh Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as Vice Commander, 8th Tactical Fighter Wing, in Southeast Asia, in 1968. 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.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Captain (Air Corps)Batallion:
487th Fighter SquadronRegiment:
352d Fighter GroupDivision:
8th Air ForceAction Date:
World War II
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain (Air Corps) Virgil Kersh Meroney, II (ASN: 0-732305), 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-47 Fighter Pilot of the 487th Fighter Squadron, 352d Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the 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.