Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
John
Rolfe
Castleman
May 1, 1895

–

May 3, 1983

Cemetery:

Green Hill Cemetery

In 1915, John Castleman enrolled at Virginia Tech where he was a member of the Corps of Cadets. When America entered World War I, he left school after his sophomore year and joined the Army Air Service. After his release from active duty in 1919, he returned to Virginia Tech and graduated in 1921 with a degree in civil engineering. He was credited with 2 aerial victories in World War I.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Air Service)

    Batallion:

    99th Aero Squadron

    Division:

    American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    October 5, 1918
    GHQ, American Expeditionary Forces, Citation Orders No. 1 (June 3, 1919)

    By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), First Lieutenant (Air Service) John R. Castleman, United States Army Air Service, is cited by the Commanding General, American Expeditionary Forces, for gallantry in action and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the Victory Medals awarded him. First Lieutenant Castleman distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving as a Pilot with the 99th Aero Squadron, American Expeditionary Forces, in action near Cunel, France, 5 October 1918, while on a photographic mission.

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Service

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Air Service)

    Batallion:

    99th Aero Squadron

    Division:

    American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    October 5, 1918
    War Department, General Orders No. 37 (1919)

    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 First Lieutenant (Air Service) John Rolfe Castleman, United States Army Air Service, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 99th Aero Squadron, U.S. Army Air Service, A.E.F., near Romagne, France, 5 October 1918. In spite of being attacked by seven enemy planes, type Fokker, and later by five type Pfalz, Lieutenant Castleman successfully accomplished a photographic mission 6 kilometers behind the German lines, without protection, and also destroyed two of the enemy planes.