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Navy Federal Credit Union
George
Earl
Preddy
KIA (WWII)
February 5, 1919

–

December 25, 1944

Cemetery:

A.B.M.C. Lorraine

Prior to his DSC mission in which he became an ACE-in-a-DAY for shooting down 6 aircraft in a single engagement, George Preddy was nearly a QUADRUPLE ACE with 19.83 victories. Before his death in combat while flying in support of American troops during the Battle of the Bulge on December 25, 1944, he scored a total of 26.83 aerial victories, to become the third-leading American ACE in the air war over Europe and the highest scoring P-51 Mustang ace of WWII, with 23.83 of his aerial victories made while flying that aircraft type. He was nominated for induction into the National Aviation Hall of Fame in 1996 and was inducted into the American Combat Airman Hall of Fame in 2004. He is buried next to his brother William, also Killed in Action as a member of the Army Air Forces, at the Lorraine American Cemetery in St. Avold, France.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Major (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    487th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    352d Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major (Air Corps) George Earl Preddy (ASN: 0-430846), 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 Pilot with the 487th Fighter Squadron, 352d Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in connection with military operations against the enemy in the European 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.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Major (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    487th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    352d Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major (Air Corps) George Earl Preddy (ASN: 0-430846), 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 Pilot with the 487th Fighter Squadron, 352d Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in connection with military operations against the enemy in the European 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.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Major (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    487th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    352d Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major (Air Corps) George Earl Preddy (ASN: 0-430846), 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 Pilot with the 487th Fighter Squadron, 352d Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in connection with military operations against the enemy in the European 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.

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Major (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    487th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    352d Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    August 6, 1944
    Headquarters, U.S. Strategic Forces in Europe, General Orders No. 49 (August 11, 1944)

    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 Major (Air Corps) George Earl Preddy (ASN: 0-430846), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-51 Fighter Airplane in the 487th Fighter Squadron, 352d Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces on 6 August 1944, during an air mission in the European Theater of Operations. On this date Major Preddy was leading a fighter group on a bomber escort mission against targets in the vicinity of Hamburg, Germany. As the bomber formation approached its objective, a flight of thirty enemy fighters with top cover support of an additional thirty fighters attempted to intercept the bombers. Major Preddy, with his wingman individually attacked the lower enemy flight, and in spite of its superiority in numbers and the danger of attack from above, pressed home his attack with such aggressiveness that the enemy threat was completely broken up. In the ensuing engagement Major Preddy destroyed six enemy fighters. By his disregard for personal safety and his determined will to destroy the enemy, Major Preddy rendered outstanding and valorous service to our nation.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Captain (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    487th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    352d Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    December 22, 1943
    Headquarters, 8th Air Force, General Orders No. 59 (February 16, 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 Captain (Air Corps) George Earl Preddy (ASN: 0-430846), United States Army Air Forces, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-51 Mustang Fighter Airplane in the 487th Fighter Squadron, 352d Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in action while escorting bombers withdrawing from a mission over Germany, 22 December 1943. While proceeding towards his home base, accompanied by the other fighter aircraft, Captain Preddy observed a lone crippled bomber being attacked by a large number of enemy fighters. Though out-numbered six-to-one, he unhesitatingly led his flight in an attack on the enemy and pressed it home with such viciousness that the enemy planes were scattered and forced to cease their attacks on the bomber. Captain Preddy personally destroyed one of the enemy aircraft. When the enemy fighters switched their attack to his flight, he skillfully maneuvered them away from the bomber, thus allowing it to escape and then eluded them by taking advantage of cloud cover. The gallantry, aggressiveness and skill displayed by Captain Preddy reflect highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Major (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    487th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    352d Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major (Air Corps) George Earl Preddy (ASN: 0-430846), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a Pilot with the 487th Fighter Squadron, 352d Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in connection with military operations against the enemy in the European 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.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Major (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    487th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    352d Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major (Air Corps) George Earl Preddy (ASN: 0-430846), 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 while serving as a Pilot with the 487th Fighter Squadron, 352d Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in connection with military operations against the enemy in the European 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.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Major (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    487th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    352d Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major (Air Corps) George Earl Preddy (ASN: 0-430846), United States Army Air Forces, 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 a Pilot with the 487th Fighter Squadron, 352d Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in connection with military operations against the enemy in the European 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.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Major (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    487th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    352d Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major (Air Corps) George Earl Preddy (ASN: 0-430846), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in addition to a previously awarded Silver Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of an Eighth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a Pilot with the 487th Fighter Squadron, 352d Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in connection with military operations against the enemy in the European 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.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Major (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    487th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    352d Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major (Air Corps) George Earl Preddy (ASN: 0-430846), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in addition to a previously awarded Silver Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Ninth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a Pilot with the 487th Fighter Squadron, 352d Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in connection with military operations against the enemy in the European 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.