The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Colonel (Air Corps) John Koehler Gerhart (ASN: 0-17954), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action while leading a Combat Wing of B-17 Heavy Bombers of the 93d Combat Bomb Wing, EIGHTH Air Force, on a bombing mission over Germany, on 17 August 1943. En route to the target, the formation was subjected to persistent, savage assaults by a large force of enemy fighters. In spite of every effort of the enemy to scatter the bombers, Colonel Gerhart held a tight defensive formation and led his unit over the assigned target. Though intense, accurate anti-aircraft fire was encountered during the bombing run, vast devastation was wrought on an installation of vital importance to the enemy’s war effort. The gallantry, skill and leadership displayed by Colonel Gerhart reflect highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
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Legion of Merit
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Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
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Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Colonel (Air Corps)Regiment:
93d Combat Bomb WingDivision:
8th Air ForceAction Date:
September 16, 1943
Headquarters, 8th Air Force, General Orders No. 210 (November 18, 1943)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 Colonel (Air Corps) John Koehler Gerhart (ASN: 0-17954), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action while leading a Heavy Bombardment Division of the 93d Combat Bomb Wing, EIGHTH Air Force, on a mission over enemy-occupied Europe, on 16 September 1943. Colonel Gearhart directed the formation from his position in the leading aircraft. When the assigned target was found to be obscured by a heavy overcast, he quickly selected another objective of vital importance. Without the benefit of prior briefing, Colonel Gerhart led his formation through intense concentrations of anti-aircraft fire and successfully bombed the target, causing vast destruction. The gallantry, skill and leadership displayed by Colonel Gearhart on this occasion were an inspiration to all serving with him and reflect highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Colonel (Air Corps)Regiment:
93d Combat Bomb WingDivision:
8th Air ForceAction Date:
October 10, 1943
Headquarters, 8th Air Force, General Orders No. 249 (April 3, 1944)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 (Air Corps) John Koehler Gerhart (ASN: 0-17954), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action awhile leading a Combat Wing of B-17 Heavy Bombers of the 93d Combat Bomb Wing, EIGHTH Air Force, on a bombing mission over Germany, on 10 October 1943. After the fighter escort withdrew, the wing led by Colonel Gerhart was attacked by over 200 enemy planes. Despite the intensity of these attacks, which were pressed to suicidal range, he regrouped his units and led them to the assigned target. Under the inspiring leadership of Colonel Gerhart an installation of vast importance to the enemy’s war effort was dealt a devastating blow. The outstanding success achieved is in a large measure attributable to the tenacity of purpose and leadership in battle displayed by Colonel Gerhart. His gallantry on this occasion served as an inspiration to all units under his command.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Brigadier GeneralAction Date:
June 23, 1943 – April 30, 1945
Headquarters, U.S. Force in the European Theater of Operations, General Orders No. 145 (July 7, 1945)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 Brigadier General John Koehler Gerhart (ASN: 0-17954), United States Army Air Forces, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Assistant Chief of Staff, A-3, 3d Air Division; and as Commander, 93d Combat Bombardment Wing, from 23 June 1943 to 30 April 1945. Brigadier General Gerhart employed outstanding tactical skill, sound leadership and professional administrative ability in the accomplishment of his mission. On many occasions, he personally led his forces into combat to score brilliant successes in all missions undertaken. The high standard so quickly attained by the 3d Bombardment Wing, is directly attributable to the knowledge exercised by Brigadier General Gerhart. His services reflect highest credit upon himself and the armed forces of the United States.
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Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant GeneralAction Date:
July 1, 1957 – July 31, 1962
Department of the Air Force, General Orders No. G-64 (August 10, 1962)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal (Army Design) to Lieutenant General John Koehler Gerhart (ASN: 0-17954), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility as Deputy Chief of Staff, Plans and Programs, Headquarters United States Air Force, from 1 July 1957 to 31 July 1962. In this important assignment, General Gerhart’s demonstration of exceptional competence, superior ability and dedicated devotion to duty resulted in vital contributions to the security of the United States. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Lieutenant General Gerhart reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
GeneralAction Date:
August 1, 1962 to March 1, 1965
Department of the Air Force, General Orders No. GB-75 (1965)(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal (Army Design) to General John Koehler Gerhart (ASN: 0-17954), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility, culminating as Commander in Chief of the North American Defense Command, from 1 August 1961 to 1 March 1965. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Gerhart culminate a long and distinguished career in the service of his country and his dedicated contributions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Colonel (Air Corps)Regiment:
93d Combat Bomb WingDivision:
8th Air ForceAction Date:
June 20, 1944
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 Colonel (Air Corps) John Koehler Gerhart (ASN: 0-17954), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as Commander in the air of a Combat Wing of B-24 aircraft on a heavy bombardment mission against the enemy over Germany on 20 June 1944. Colonel Gerhart demonstrated superior skill while leading the wing on this deep penetration into heavily defended enemy territory. His flawless air discipline resulted in a close defensive formation and excellent bombing on a vital enemy installation. The inspiring leadership and courageous devotion to duty displayed by Colonel Gerhart reflect highest credit upon himself and the Army Air Forces.