Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union

First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Chase Jay Nielsen (ASN: 0-419938), United States Army Air Forces, was captured by the Japanese on 21 April 1942 after he and his crew ditched their bomber over China, and he was held as a Prisoner of War until his recovery by an O.S.S. Para-rescue Team on 20 August 1945.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Air Corps)

    Division:

    Doolittle Tokyo Raider Force

    Action Date:

    April 18, 1942

    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 First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Chase Jay Nielsen (ASN: 0-419938), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement as Navigator of a B-25 Bomber of the 1st Special Aviation Project (Doolittle Raider Force), while participating in a highly destructive raid on the Japanese mainland on 18 April 1942. Lieutenant Nielsen with 79 other officers and enlisted men volunteered for this mission knowing full well that the chances of survival were extremely remote, and executed his part in it with great skill and daring. This achievement reflects high credit on himself and the military service.