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The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross (Posthumously) to Major (Air Corps) Horace Seaver Carswell, Jr. (ASN: 0-399757), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as Pilot of a B-24 Heavy Bomber in the 374 Bombardment Squadron, 308th Bombardment Group (H), FOURTEENTH Air Force, while participating in bombing missions in the South China Sea area from 14 July 1944 to 10 October 1944. Major Carswell distinguished himself while participating in 200 or more hours of combat flight in heavy bombardment type aircraft. Flying from bases in China, he has inflicted heavy damage on the enemy throughout the vast expanses of China, Burma, Thailand, Indo-China and over the China seas. His principal targets were enemy installations, lines of communication, supply and troop concentrations and shipping. Although fire from enemy ground guns and hostile aircraft was encountered frequently and many flights made through adverse weather and over mountainous areas with a minimum of navigational aids, he carried out his missions with cool determination. The outstanding accomplishments of Major Carswell reflects great credit upon himself and the Army Air Forces.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Major (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    374 Bombardment Squadron

    Regiment:

    308th Bombardment Group (H)

    Division:

    14th Air Force

    Action Date:

    October 16, 1944
    Headquarters, U.S. Forces-China Theater, General Orders No. 31 (March 1, 1945)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Major (Air Corps) Horace Seaver Carswell, Jr. (ASN: 0-399757), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a B-24 Heavy Bomber in the 374 Bombardment Squadron, 308th Bombardment Group (H), FOURTEENTH Air Force, while participating in a bombing mission on 16 October 1944, against enemy Japanese surface vessels in the South China Sea. During a sea-sweep mission along the China Coast, a task force of six Japanese naval vessels was located by means of radio equipment. A destroyer and a cruiser were singled out for attack. During four runs over the target at an altitude of 400 feet and under intense fire from the supporting vessels, both were sunk. The plane was not struck and returned to the mainland with less than one hour’s supply of gas. The exceptional courage, gallantry, cool judgment and skill demonstrated by Major Carswell in attacking such a large naval task force with his lone plane in the face of almost certain destruction, reflect great credit upon himself, the Army Air Forces and the Army of the United States.

  • Medal of Honor

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Major (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    374th Bombardment Squadron

    Regiment:

    308th Bombardment Group (H)

    Division:

    14th Air Force

    Action Date:

    October 26, 1944
    War Department, General Orders No. 14 (February 4, 1946)

    The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor (Posthumously) to Major (Air Corps) Horace Seaver Carswell, Jr. (ASN: 0-399757), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in action as Pilot of a B-24 bomber from the 374th Bombardment Squadron, 308th Bombardment Group (H), Fourteenth Air Force, in a one-plane strike against a Japanese convoy in the South China Sea on the night of 26 October 1944. Taking the enemy force of twelve ships escorted by at least two destroyers by surprise, he made one bombing run at 600 feet, scoring a near miss on one warship and escaping without drawing fire. He circled and, fully realizing that the convoy was thoroughly alerted and would meet his next attack with a barrage of anti-aircraft fire, began a second low-level run which culminated in two direct hits on a large tanker. A hail of steel from Japanese guns riddled the bomber, knocking out two engines, damaging a third, crippling the hydraulic system, puncturing one gasoline tank, ripping uncounted holes in the aircraft, and wounding the copilot; but by magnificent display of flying skill, Major Carswell controlled the plane’s plunge toward the sea and carefully forced it into a halting climb in the direction of the China shore. On reaching land, where it would have been possible to abandon the staggering bomber, one of the crew discovered that his parachute had been ripped by flak and rendered useless; the pilot, hoping to cross mountainous terrain and reach a base, continued onward until the third engine failed. He ordered the crew to bail out while he struggled to maintain altitude, and, refusing to save himself, chose to remain with his comrade and attempt a crash landing. He died when the airplane struck a mountainside and burned. With consummate gallantry and intrepidity, Major Carswell gave his life in a supreme effort to save all members of his crew. His sacrifice. far beyond that required of him, was in keeping with the traditional bravery of America’s war heroes.