Thomas Christian was the great grandson of Confederate General Thomas Jonathan “Stonewall” Jackson. He graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Class of 1939. In 1942 he flew B-17s and was shot down and declared missing in action somewhere in the South Pacific, but was able to return to the base after living with natives in the jungle. He transitioned to fighter aircraft at Guadalcanal, and later in the European Theater of Operations, where he was again missing in action and subsequently declared to have died.
Sponsored by:
Thomas
Jonathan Jackson
Christian
Jr.
MIA (WWII) KIA
1950-11-19
–
1944-08-12
Born:
San Francisco
,
California
Home:
San Antonio
,
Texas
Buried:
Neupre
,
Belgium
Cemetery:
A.B.M.C. Ardennes (Tablets of the Missing)
Awards Received
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
-
Silver Star
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Colonel (Air Corps)Regiment:
62d Fighter GroupDivision:
8th Air ForceAction Date:
World War II
United States Military Academy Register of Graduates(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Colonel (Air Corps) Thomas Jonathan Jackson Christian, Jr. (ASN: 0-21782), 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 Commanding Officer, 62d Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, 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 ForcesRank:
Colonel (Air Corps)Regiment:
62d Fighter GroupDivision:
8th Air ForceAction Date:
World War II
United States Military Academy Register of Graduates(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Colonel (Air Corps) Thomas Jonathan Jackson Christian, Jr. (ASN: 0-21782), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as Commanding Officer, 62d Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, 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 ForcesRank:
Captain (Air Corps)Regiment:
1st Air GroupDivision:
5th Air ForceAction Date:
September 14, 1942
Headquarters, U.S. Army Forces in the South Pacific Area, General Orders No. 4F (October 10, 1942)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) Thomas Jonathan Jackson Christian, Jr. (ASN: 0-21782), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a Fighter Airplane of the 1st Air Group, FIFTH Air Force, in aerial operations in the Southwest Pacific Theater of Operations, in 1942. Major Christian repeatedly fought off enemy Japanese fighter in defense of Henderson Field, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands. He especially distinguished himself by outstanding service on 14 September 1942, when, with a total of three airplanes in the air, he helped bomb and strafe enemy positions in the face of heavy fire. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Captain Christian, 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.