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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 Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps) Claiborne Holmes Kinnard, Jr. (ASN: 0-383723), 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, 355th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces on 7 July 1944, while leading his Group in the escort of heavy bombers at Halle, Germany. Circling the target area, Colonel Kinnard observed 20 enemy airplanes attacking the bomber formation. Approaching to intercept them Colonel Kinnard discovered he had become separated from his Group and was leading a flight of only three airplanes. Despite the odds against him he immediately attacked, destroying one enemy fighter and dispersing the entire formation. In the encounter Colonel Kinnard’s wing man was lost, and, at this moment, 30 enemy airplanes which had been acting as top cover launched their attack. Colonel Kinnard, in his firm resolve to protect the bomber formation, launched a fearless and daring attack on the enemy, notwithstanding their numerical superiority. So skillful and vicious was his attack that he was able to destroy two more of the enemy and protect his wing man while the latter destroyed another. The outstanding heroism and devotion to duty displayed by Colonel Kinnard on this occasion reflect highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps)

    Regiment:

    355th Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    April 13, 1945
    Headquarters, II Air Division, General Orders No. 162 (May 14, 1945)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps) Claiborne Holmes Kinnard, Jr. (ASN: 0-383723), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while leading the 355th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, on a mission escorting bombers and strafing an enemy dispersal area, 13 April 1945. Colonel Kinnard displayed superior leadership in planning and coordinating the attack which effected the destruction of all twelve of the aircraft in the area attacked, personally destroying two of the enemy aircraft and sharing in the destruction of a third. The skill and devotion to duty displayed by Colonel Kinnard on this occasion reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps)

    Regiment:

    355th Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    June 24, 1944
    Headquarters, 8th Air Force, General Orders No. 486 (August 23, 1944)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps) Claiborne Holmes Kinnard, Jr. (ASN: 0-383723), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-51 Mustang Fighter Airplane in the 355th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces on 24 June 1944, in the European Theater of Operations. On the morning mission, one flight, which was separated from the group at the time, sighted a well-camouflaged airfield with a large number of aircraft on it. Upon obtaining this information, Colonel Kinnard asked for and received permission to lead his Group in an attack on the field in the afternoon. During the course of the attack, he observed a smartly concealed gun emplacement from which was coming a hail of fire. Colonel Kinnard quickly diverted his attack on the aircraft, and in the face of intense fire, made a vigorous assault on the gun installations, completely silencing them. Having accomplished this, he led his group on another devastating attack against the planes parked on the airdrome. When the gave the order to return, the group had destroyed twenty-five aircraft and severely damaged an additional six. The high degree of success achieved on this mission is in a large measure attributable to the courage, determination, and aggressive leadership of Colonel Kinnard.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps)

    Regiment:

    355th Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    November 14, 1944
    Headquarters, II Bomb Division, General Orders No. 303 (November 14, 1944)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Silver Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Sixth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps) Claiborne Holmes Kinnard, Jr. (ASN: 0-383723), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as Pilot of a P-51 Fighter Airplane in the 355th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in the destruction of four enemy airplanes in aerial combat over enemy occupied Continental Europe. The skillful and zealous manner in which Lieutenant Colonel Kinnard 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:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps)

    Regiment:

    355th Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps) Claiborne Holmes Kinnard, Jr. (ASN: 0-383723), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in addition to a Previously Awarded Silver Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Seventh Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Fighter Pilot with the 355th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, 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:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps)

    Regiment:

    4th Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    September 14, 1944
    Headquarters, 5th Fighter Command, General Orders No. 83 (September 14, 1944)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Fourth Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fifth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps) Claiborne Holmes Kinnard, Jr. (ASN: 0-383723), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Pilot of a P-51 Fighter in the 4th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in the destruction of one enemy airplane in aerial combat over enemy occupied Continental Europe. The skillful and zealous manner in which Lieutenant Colonel Kinnard 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:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps)

    Regiment:

    355th Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    July 27, 1944
    Headquarters, 5th Fighter Command, General Orders No. 63 (July 27, 1944)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps) Claiborne Holmes Kinnard, Jr. (ASN: 0-383723), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as Pilot of a P-51 Fighter Airplane in the 355th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in the destruction of five enemy airplanes in aerial combat over enemy occupied Continental Europe. The skillful and zealous manner in which Lieutenant Colonel Kinnard 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:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps)

    Regiment:

    355th Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    August 15, 1944
    Headquarters, 5th Fighter Command, General Orders No. 72 (August 15, 1944)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps) Claiborne Holmes Kinnard, Jr. (ASN: 0-383723), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as Pilot of a P-51 Fighter Airplane in the 355th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in the destruction of three enemy airplanes in aerial combat over enemy occupied Continental Europe. The skillful and zealous manner in which Lieutenant Colonel Kinnard 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:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps)

    Regiment:

    355th Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    June 24, 1944
    Headquarters, 5th Fighter Command, General Orders No. 54 (June 24, 1944)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps) Claiborne Holmes Kinnard, Jr. (ASN: 0-383723), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as Pilot of a P-51 Fighter Airplane in the 355th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in the destruction of five enemy airplanes in aerial combat over enemy occupied Continental Europe. The skillful and zealous manner in which Lieutenant Colonel Kinnard 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.