Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Grant
M.
Mahony
KIA (WWII)
September 30, 1918

–

January 3, 1945

Cemetery:

A.B.M.C. Manila

Grant Mahony served three tours of combat duty in the Pacific. On January 3, 1945, he was shot down on a mission over an enemy airfield at Puerta Princessa on the Philippine island of Palawan. At the time of his death, Lieutenant Colonel Grant Mahony is believed to have flown more combat hours than any other AAF fighter pilot. He is a World War II ACE credited with destroying FIVE enemy aircraft in aerial combat.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    3d Pursuit Squadron

    Regiment:

    24th Pursuit Group

    Division:

    Far East Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Grant Mahony (ASN: 0-25233), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a P-40 Fighter Pilot of the 3d Pursuit Squadron, 24th Pursuit Group, FAR EAST Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the Pacific 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.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    3d Pursuit Squadron

    Regiment:

    24th Pursuit Group

    Division:

    Far East Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Grant Mahony (ASN: 0-25233), 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 a P-40 Fighter Pilot of the 3d Pursuit Squadron, 24th Pursuit Group, FAR EAST Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the Pacific 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.

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    3d Pursuit Squadron

    Regiment:

    24th Pursuit Group

    Division:

    Far East Air Force

    Action Date:

    December 10, 11, & 13, 1941
    Headquarters, U.S. Army Forces in the Far East, General Orders No. 48 (December 21, 1941)

    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 Corps) Grant M. Mahony (ASN: 0-25233), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-40 Fighter Airplane in the 3d Pursuit Squadron, 24th Pursuit Group, FAR EAST Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces on 10, 11, and 13 December 1941, during air missions over the Philippine Islands. First Lieutenant Mahony volunteered for a vital night mission in thick weather during a complete ground blackout. In the face of severed ground fire from strongly held positions, he secured information needed for a subsequently successful bombing attack on 10 December. On the following day, returning from a bombing mission near Legaspi in which he destroyed an enemy flying boat and strafed an enemy-held radio station, this pilot displayed exceptional courage in performing the highly dangerous feat of landing his plane with bombs hanging from an improperly functioning bomb release, in preference to bailing out. Again the following week, Lieutenant Mahony was flying over Legaspi at 13,000 feet when he encountered two Japanese pursuit planes. Suddenly his guns jammed, so he dived low with the Japanese on his tail. He realized he was helpless in the face of heavy machine gun fire, but observed that the Japanese were missing his plane and strafing their own troops. Lieutenant Mahony put his ship into a short climb, then drew the Japanese ships behind him again. This time he swooped right over the enemy ground troops and once more the enemy poured machine gun fire into their own men. First Lieutenant Mahony’s unquestionable valor in aerial combat is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the Far East Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    3d Pursuit Squadron

    Regiment:

    24th Pursuit Group

    Division:

    5th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II
    Headquarters, Army Air Forces, India-Burma Sector, General Orders No. 103 (June 30, 1944)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: 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) Grant M. Mahony (ASN: 0-25233), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-40 Warhawk Bomber of the 3d Pursuit Squadron, 24th Pursuit Group, FIFTH Air Force, in aerial operations in the China-Burma-India Theater of Operations during World War II. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by First Lieutenant Mahony, 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.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    3d Pursuit Squadron

    Regiment:

    24th Pursuit Group

    Division:

    Far East Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Grant Mahony (ASN: 0-25233), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a P-40 Fighter Pilot of the 3d Pursuit Squadron, 24th Pursuit Group, FAR EAST Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the Pacific 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.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    3d Pursuit Squadron

    Regiment:

    24th Pursuit Group

    Division:

    Far East Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Grant Mahony (ASN: 0-25233), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a P-40 Fighter Pilot of the 3d Pursuit Squadron, 24th Pursuit Group, FAR EAST Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the Pacific 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.