Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Air Corps)

    Division:

    Far East Air Force

    Action Date:

    1/1/1942

    Headquarters, U.S. Army Forces in the South Pacific Area, General Orders No. 152 (June 21, 1943)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Julius Jacobson (ASN: 0-431886), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a Fighter Airplane of the Far East Air Force, in aerial operations over Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, in the Southwest Pacific Theater of Operations, in 1942. Against a force of five enemy transport vessels, protected by eight destroyers and flights of enemy bombers, Lieutenant Jacobson, as a member of a flight of nine fighter airplanes, made successful dive bombing and strafing attacks. Despite intense anti-aircraft fire, one direct hit was scored and the enemy suffered many casualties from the strafing. On the same day, with a dangerously small amount of oxygen in his tank, Lieutenant Jacobson accompanied a flight to the altitude of 25,000 feet to engage enemy fighters. He fought there until his supply of oxygen was exhausted when he dove and strafed the burning transports, thus destroying enemy anti-aircraft positions. His courage contributed materially toward preening the enemy’s landing of troops and supplies. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by First Lieutenant Jacobson, 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.