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) Ernest Edward Bankey, Jr. (ASN: 0-752095), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-51 fighter airplane of the 364th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, on 16 April 1945. Having furnished fighter escort to a target in Germany, Captain Bankey, with his Squadron, proceeded to an enemy airdrome according to plan. In the face of intense ground fire, he made six sweeps across the field, destroying four and damaging four enemy aircraft on the ground. Realizing that his plane had sustained numerous hits and that he was now alone, he withdrew and set a course for base. On the return journey he observed another airfield and made futile attempts to contact he group leader. Although only two of his guns were operational, he circled the field and as three fighters took off, made a daring attack. Expending the last of his ammunition, he scored strikes on two of the planes which crashed and exploded. Captain Bankey’s boldness, disregard for personal safety, and fearless initiative during this action attest to his determination to destroy the enemy at any cost. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, 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.
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Awards Received
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Service Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Captain (Air Corps)Batallion:
383d Fighter SquadronRegiment:
364th Fighter GroupDivision:
8th Air ForceAction Date:
World War II
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain (Air Corps) Ernest Edward Bankey, Jr. (ASN: 0-752095), 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 as a P-38 and P-51 Fighter Pilot of the 383d Fighter Squadron, 364th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat 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.
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Distinguished Service Cross
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Captain (Air Corps)Regiment:
364th Fighter GroupDivision:
8th Air ForceAction Date:
December 27, 1944
Headquarters, U.S. Strategic Forces in Europe, General Orders No. 4 (January 8, 1945)(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: 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 Captain (Air Corps) Ernest Edward Bankey, Jr. (ASN: 0-752095), 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 assigned to Headquarters, 364th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces on 27 December 1944, in support of beleaguered Allied ground forces during the Battle of the Bulge. On this date Captain Bankey became an ACE in a single day, shooting down FIVE enemy aircraft and assisting in the destruction of another. Captain Bankey’s unquestionable valor in aerial combat is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 8th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Captain (Air Corps)Batallion:
383d Fighter SquadronRegiment:
364th Fighter GroupDivision:
8th Air ForceAction Date:
World War II
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain (Air Corps) Ernest Edward Bankey, Jr. (ASN: 0-752095), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a P-38 and P-51 Fighter Pilot of the 383d Fighter Squadron, 364th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat 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.