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Ralph
Cheli
POW (WWII) KIA
October 29, 1919

–

March 6, 1944

Cemetery:

Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery

Ralph Cheli attended Lehigh University as member of the class of 1941, but left his studies a year before graduation to enlist in the Army Air Forces. In August 1941 he led a flight of B-25s from Hamilton Field, California, to Australia in the first air movement of B-25s to the Southwest Pacific war zone. Initially it was believed that he was killed in the action that earned him the Medal of Honor, but post-war evidence indicated he survived the loss of his plane, was captured, held as a Prisoner of War, and executed in captivity.

Awards Received

  • Prisoner of War Medal

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Major (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    405th Bombardment Squadron

    Regiment:

    38th Bombardment Group (H)

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (South Pacific)

    Action Date:

    August 18, 1943 – Died in Captivity
    NARA Database: Records of World War II Prisoners of War, created, 1942 – 37315

    Major (Air Corps) Ralph Cheli (ASN: 0-399830), United States Army Air Forces, was captured by Japanese forces after he was shot down on 18 August 1943, and was held as a Prisoner of War. Post-war reports indicate he was executive while in captivity.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Major (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    405th Bombardment Squadron

    Regiment:

    38th Bombardment Group (H)

    Division:

    5th Air Force

    Action Date:

    September 15, 1942 – March 3, 1943

    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 Major (Air Corps) Ralph Cheli (ASN: 0-399830), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a B-17 Bomber Pilot with the 405th Bombardment Squadron, 38th Bombardment Group (H), FIFTH Air Force during operational flight missions from 15 September 1942 to 3 March 1943 in the Pacific Theater of Operations during World War II. 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.

    .

  • Medal of Honor

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Major (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    405th Bombardment Squadron

    Regiment:

    38th Bombardment Group (H)

    Division:

    5th Air Force

    Action Date:

    August 18, 1943
    War Department, General Orders No. 72, October 28, 1943

    The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor (Posthumously) to Major (Air Corps) Ralph Cheli (ASN: 0-399830), United States Army Air Forces, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action with the enemy over Wewak, New Guinea, while serving with the 405th Bombardment Squadron, 38th Bombardment Group (H), Fifth Air Force. While Major Cheli was leading his squadron in a dive to attack the heavily defended Dagua Airdrome, intercepting enemy aircraft centered their fire on his plane, causing it to burst into flames while still two miles from the objective. His speed would have enabled him to gain necessary altitude to parachute to safety, but this action would have resulted in his formation becoming disorganized and exposed to the enemy. Although a crash was inevitable, he courageously elected to continue leading the attack in his blazing plane. From a minimum altitude, the squadron made a devastating bombing and strafing attack on the target. The mission completed, Major Cheli instructed his wingman to lead the formation and crashed into the sea.