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) Victor Edwin Warford (AFSN: 1975A/ASN: 0-424588), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-51 Mustang Fighter Airplane of the 309th Fighter Squadron, 31st Fighter Group, FIFTEENTH Air Force. On 31 July 1944, Major Warford led his squadron as escort for heavy bombers attacking vital enemy installations in Rumania. In the target area, Major Warford observed another squadron of P-51’s engaged in combat with a superior number of enemy fighter aircraft. Although still outnumbered, Major Warford ordered one flight to provide top cover and he maneuvered his three other flights to engage the enemy force. Major Warford gallantly and courageously led the attack against the superior number of enemy fighters, and in the ensuing aerial battle, although his plane was damaged by enemy shell fire, he destroyed one enemy aircraft. Major Warford then observed a fellow pilot engaged with an enemy fighter, and despite the severe damage to his plane, immediately went to the assistance of his comrade. In this engagement, the enemy fighter attempted to evade combat, but Major Warford, again displaying exceptional heroism and flying skill, closed in on the enemy aircraft and destroyed it. By his conspicuous gallantry, professional skill and devotion to duty while flying over forty successful missions against the enemy Major Warford has destroyed eight enemy aircraft, probably destroyed one and damaged another, and has reflected great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States of America.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Legion of Merit
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Prisoner of War Medal
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Major (Air Corps)Batallion:
309th Fighter SquadronRegiment:
31st Fighter GroupDivision:
15th Air ForceAction Date:
World War II
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major (Air Corps) Victor Edwin Warford (ASN: 0-424588), 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-51 Fighter Pilot of the 309th Fighter Squadron, 31st Fighter Group, FIFTEENTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the Mediterranean Theater of Action 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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Legion of Merit
Headquarters, Far East Air Forces, General Orders No. 260 (1953)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Colonel Victor Edward Warford (AFSN: 1975A/ASN: 0-424588), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the United Nations as Commanding Officer, 58th Fighter-Bomber Wing, FIFTH Air Force, from 4 July 1952 to 10 May 1955. During that period, Colonel Warford capably directed his Wing’s relentless and devastating attacks upon the enemy’s main supply routs, front-line positions and key military installations. Colonel Warford’s high personal courage and aggressiveness in leading his Wing in maximum effort strikes against critical targets were a constant source of inspiration to all members of his organization. Coupled with his combat leadership was his outstanding ability to direct the administrative and logistical functions of the Wing. Throughout his assignment as a combat commander in Korea, Colonel Warford consistently demonstrated an outstanding degree of leadership and professional skill. Through the high standards of operational effectiveness at which he maintained his unit, and through his resourcefulness and exemplary devotion to duty, Colonel Warford reflected great credit upon himself, the Far East Air Forces, and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
ColonelRegiment:
58th Fighter-Bomber WingDivision:
5th Air ForceAction Date:
May 10, 1953
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Colonel Victor Edward Warford (AFSN: 1975A/ASN: 0-424588), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Pilot with the 58th Fighter-Bomber Wing, FIFTH Air Force, in Korea on 10 May 1953. Colonel Warford displayed exceptional airmanship and courage as leader of a section of eight F-84 type aircraft in an attack on the hydroelectric power station at the Suihe Reservoir Dam on the Yalu River. Despite adverse weather conditions which necessitated instrument navigation, Colonel Warford reached the target at exactly the specified time. He led his section through the intense anti-aircraft fire from over one hundred radar-controlled automatic weapons and an unknown number of automatic weapons and dropped his bombs at an extremely low altitude with excellent results. After re-joining, the section encountered MiG-15 fighters, but Colonel Warford led his section through a series of evasive maneuvers and successfully eluded the enemy. This important mission resulted in the destruction of a vital military target and deprived the enemy of one of its main sources of electric power. Colonel Warford contributed greatly to the success of the mission thus bringing great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Prisoner of War Medal
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps)Batallion:
309th Fighter SquadronRegiment:
31st Fighter GroupDivision:
Prisoner of War (Germany)Action Date:
October 11, 1944 – May 1945
NARA Database: Records of World War II Prisoners of War, created, 1942 – 31590Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps) Victor Edwin Warford (ASN: 0-424588), United States Army Air Forces, was captured by German forces after he was shot down on 11 October 1944, and was held as a Prisoner of War until his return to U.S. Military Control at the end of hostilities in May 1945.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
ColonelRegiment:
58th Fighter-Bomber GroupDivision:
5th Air ForceAction Date:
January 13, 1953
Headquarters, Far East Air Forces, General Orders No. 112 (March 4, 1953)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Silver Star to Colonel Victor Edwin Warford (ASN: 0-424588), United States Air Force, for gallantry in action against an armed enemy of the United Nations as the Airborne Commander, 58th Fighter-Bomber Group, FIFTH Air Force, while directing two mass fighter-bomber attacks against the Yongmidong, Sinanju, Anju bridge complex deep in North Korea, on 13 January 1953. The force led by Colonel Warford against this vital target was comprised of aircraft from one Marine and four United States Air Force Wings, with the morning attack consisting of 240 aircraft and 264 being used in the afternoon raid. Although his wingman aborted on the first mission, Colonel Warford, fully aware of his consequent vulnerability to enemy aircraft, elected to continue to the target and direct the operation. Throughout both strikes, despite intense anti-aircraft fire and with complete disregard for his personal safety, Colonel Warford orbited the target area skillfully directing the waves of attacking aircraft to new targets to insure full coverage. The tactical skill and leadership displayed by Colonel Warford were primarily responsible for the smoothness of the operation and for the success of both strikes. The superior manner in which both missions were executed was evidenced by the destruction of thirteen rail and road bridge spans, extensive damage to thirty anti-aircraft positions, and cuts on numerous rails and roads. As a result of these devastating strikes, the enemy forces were deprived of vital facilities needed to transport personnel, supplies and munitions to their front line areas. By his high personal courage, keen tactical airmanship and outstanding devotion to duty, Colonel Warford reflected great credit upon himself, the FAR EAST Air Forces, and the United States Air Force.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps)Batallion:
309th Fighter SquadronRegiment:
31st Fighter GroupDivision:
15th Air ForceAction Date:
October 11, 1944
Headquarters, 15th Air Force, General Orders No. 4995 (December 14, 1944)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps) Victor Edwin Warford (AFSN: 1975A/ASN: 0-424588), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-51 Mustang Fighter Airplane of the 309th Fighter Squadron, 31st Fighter Group, FIFTEENTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the Mediterranean Theater of Action during World War II. On 11 October 1944, Colonel Warford led a group formation on a strafing mission against a vital enemy airdrome in Czechoslovakia. Despite severe and adverse weather conditions he brought his formation to the target area. Unable to locate the primary target due to heavy ground haze, displaying outstanding aggressiveness and determination, he led his group against targets of opportunity and personally destroyed three locomotives and an oil storage tank. Though low on fuel and ammunition, Colonel Warford led an attack on an enemy airdrome which contained numerous hostile aircraft, despite continued adverse weather and the presence of five enemy fighters in the area. In the ensuing engagement in which he destroyed several enemy aircraft on the ground, his ship was damaged by enemy ground fire and further crippled by the fire of hostile fighters which intercepted his damaged plane. When last heard of Colonel Warford radioed his wingman that he was going to parachute to safety. By his conspicuous gallantry, professional skill and devotion to duty, as evidenced throughout fifty-five successful missions against the enemy, Colonel Warford has reflected great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States of America.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Major (Air Corps)Batallion:
309th Fighter SquadronRegiment:
31st Fighter GroupDivision:
15th Air ForceAction Date:
World War II
Headquarters, 15th Air Force, General Orders No. 2446 (1944)(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major (Air Corps) Victor Edwin Warford (ASN: 0-424588), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a P-51 Fighter Pilot of the 309th Fighter Squadron, 31st Fighter Group, FIFTEENTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the Mediterranean Theater of Action 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 Flying Cross
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Major (Air Corps)Batallion:
309th Fighter SquadronRegiment:
31st Fighter GroupDivision:
15th Air ForceAction Date:
World War II
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major (Air Corps) Victor Edwin Warford (ASN: 0-424588), 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-51 Fighter Pilot of the 309th Fighter Squadron, 31st Fighter Group, FIFTEENTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the Mediterranean Theater of Action 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.