Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
John
Charles
Meyer
April 3, 1919

–

December 2, 1975

Cemetery:

Arlington National Cemetery

John Meyer was the fourth leading American Ace in Europe with 24 Aerial Victories. He was the only American Air Officer to earn three Distinguished Service Crosses, and also earned two Silver Stars. He flew combat once again during the Korean War, where he was credited with shooting down two MIG-15 aircraft. From 1969 to 1972 he served as the 12th Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force and retired on July 1, 1974, as a U.S. Air Force 4-Star General.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps)

    Regiment:

    8th Fighter Command

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps) John Charles Meyer (ASN: 0-396294/4496A), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement and heroism in the destruction of five enemy airplanes in aerial combat over enemy occupied Continental Europe during World War II. The skillful and zealous manner in which Lieutenant Colonel Meyer 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 Forces

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps)

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps) John Charles Meyer (ASN: 0-396294/4496A), United States Army Air Forces, 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. 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 Air Force

    Rank:

    Colonel

    Action Date:

    Korean War

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Colonel John Charles Meyer (ASN: 0-396294/4496A), 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. 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 United States Air Force.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Major (Air Corps)

    Regiment:

    352d Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II
    Headquarters, 8th Air Force, General Orders No. 9 (January 8, 1945)

    (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 Major (Air Corps) John Charles Meyer (ASN: 0-396294/4496A), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a Fighter Airplane of the 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 Major Meyer, 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 Forces

    Rank:

    Major (Air Corps)

    Regiment:

    8th Fighter Command

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II
    Headquarters, VIII Fighter Command, General Orders No. 35 (October 5, 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 Major (Air Corps) John Charles Meyer (ASN: 0-396294/4496A), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in the completion of ten operational sorties over enemy occupied Continental Europe during World War II.

  • Air Force Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    General

    Action Date:

    August 1, 1969 – April 30, 1972
    Department of the Air Force, Special Order GB-506 (July 25, 1969)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: General John Charles Meyer (ASN: 0-396294/4496A), United States Air Force, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States from 1 August 1969 to 30 April 1972. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Meyer reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Major (Air Corps)

    Regiment:

    352d Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II
    Headquarters, 8th Air Force, General Orders No. 263 (April 10, 1944)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Major (Air Corps) John Charles Meyer (ASN: 0-396294/4496A), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action while serving as Pilot of a Fighter Airplane of the 352d Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, while leading his Fighter Squadron on fifty-two fighter sweeps and bomber escort missions over enemy-occupied Europe, during World War II. Major Meyer has maintained the highest type of combat efficiency among the members of his unit and on all occasions, the Squadron, under his inspiring leadership, has performed the duties entrusted to it in a superior manner. During the entire period of his command, the impressive total of twenty-seven aircraft destroyed, two probably destroyed and six damaged has been amassed while losses within the unit have been held to a minimum. The gallantry, untiring effort in training and combat skill displayed by Major Meyer have been a constant inspiration to all serving under him.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Lieutenant General

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant General John Charles Meyer (ASN: 0-396294/4496A), 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. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Meyer reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Major (Air Corps)

    Regiment:

    8th Fighter Command

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II
    Headquarters, VIII Fighter Command, General Orders No. 12 (February 2, 1944)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major (Air Corps) John Charles Meyer (ASN: 0-396294/4496A), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight. Major Meyer has accomplished thirty fighter combat missions or the equivalent thereof, over enemy occupied Continental Europe during World War II, and has destroyed two enemy airplanes. The skillful and zealous manner in which Major Meyer 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 Air Force of the United States.

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    487th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    352d Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    May 8, 1944
    Headquarters, U.S. Strategic Forces in Europe, General Orders No. 43 (July 13, 1945)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps) John Charles Meyer (ASN: 0-396294/4496A), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-15 Fighter Airplane in the 487th Fighter Squadron, 352d Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces on 8 May 1944, during an air mission over Germany. On this date, Lieutenant Colonel Meyer led a flight of eight fighters in an attack against greatly superior numbers of enemy fighters trying to intercept a friendly bomber formation. The enemy flight was dispersed. During the engagement Lieutenant Colonel Meyer became separated from his flight except for one wingman and lost considerable altitude. While regaining altitude he observed another flight of fifteen more enemy fighters flying toward the bombers. Accompanied only by his wingman, he unhesitatingly attacked the formation with utter disregard of the odds against him, destroyed two enemy fighters and broke up the formation. Before setting course for home Lieutenant Colonel Meyer attacked and destroyed another enemy fighter. The courage and determination to destroy the enemy displayed by Lieutenant Colonel Meyer upon this occasion reflect highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.