Navy Federal Credit Union

A total of 5 Medals of Honor and 56 Distinguished Service Crosses, among numerous other awards, were awarded for the August 1, 1943 low-level bombing mission of the Ploesti Oil Refineries, ranking it as perhaps the single-most decorated combat air mission of World War II. Captain Robert Miller, Pilot of Major Hodge’s bomber, was also awarded the DSC for this mission.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    66th Bombardment Squadron

    Regiment:

    44th Bombardment Group (H)

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    Headquarters, 8th Air Force, General Orders No. 197 (March 22, 1944)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: 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) Dexter Lawrence Hodge (ASN: 0-389555), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a B-24 Liberator Bomber of the 66th Bombardment Squadron, 44th Bombardment Group (Heavy), EIGHTH Air Force, in aerial operations in the European Theater of Operations, in 1944. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Lieutenant Colonel Hodge, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps), [then Major]

    Batallion:

    66th Bombardment Squadron

    Regiment:

    44th Bombardment Group (H)

    Division:

    9th Air Force (Attached)

    Action Date:

    August 1, 1943

    Headquarters, Ninth U.S. Army Air Force, General Orders No. 90 (September 16, 1943)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: 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), [then Major] Dexter Lawrence Hodge (ASN: 0-389555), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Co-Pilot of a B-24 Heavy Bomber in the 66th Bombardment Squadron, 44th Bombardment Group (H), NINTH Air Force (Attached), while participating in a bombing mission on 1 August 1943, against the Ploesti Oil Refineries in Rumania. During a long and hazardous attack against a vital enemy oil installation made at low-altitude by a formation of B-24 type aircraft, Major Hodge flew through heavy enemy fire against impossible odds. As a pilot of a leading B-24, he directed the formation toward the target when it was subjected to extremely intense anti-aircraft and machinegun fire at point blank range. Rather than take action which would have jeopardized the success of the formation, Colonel Hodge held his course straight through the heavy fire and dense smoke screen and over the target. Despite heavy enemy fire that that badly damaged his bomber, Major Hodge with great valor and aerial skill kept his ship airborne until it could be diverted for an emergency landing at Malta without the loss of a single man. The personal courage and zealous devotion to duty displayed by Major Hodge on this occasion, even when confronted with practically certain destruction, exemplified the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 9th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.