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Navy Federal Credit Union
A.
T.
House
, Jr.
August 8, 1917

–

June 12, 2011

Born:

San Francisco

, 

California

Home:

Long Beach

, 

California

Buried: 

Lake Worth

, 

Florida

Cemetery:

South Florida National Cemetery

A T House joined the Marine Corps in 1935 and was discharged in 1939, subsequently enlisting in the Army and earning his commission as a Second Lieutenant before applying for flight training and earning his wings in the U.S. Army Air Forces in December 1941. During World War II he became an ACE, credited with 5 victories in aerial combat. After the war he transferred to the new U.S. Air Force, and retired in 1960 as a Colonel.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Major (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    7th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    49th Pursuit Group

    Division:

    Far East Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major (Air Corps) A. T. House, Jr. (ASN: 0-406351), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a P-40 Fighter Pilot of the 7th Fighter Squadron, 49th Fighter Group, FAR EAST Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the Pacific Theater of Operations 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.

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Second Lieutenant (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    7th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    49th Fighter Group

    Division:

    5th Air Force

    Action Date:

    March 3, 1943
    Headquarters, South West Pacific Area, General Orders No. 27 (September 1, 1942)

    (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 Second Lieutenant (Air Corps) A. T. House, Jr. (ASN: 0-406351), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-40 Fighter Airplane in the 7th Fighter Squadron, 49th Fighter Group, FIFTH Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces on 3 March 1943, in the Southwest Pacific Area. On this date Second Lieutenant House destroyed two enemy aircraft, which when combined with three earlier aerial victories, made him an ACE. In one instance he rammed his plane into a Japanese fighter to save the life of his squadron commander, but was able to break away and, though his plane was crippled, returned to his bas and landed safely. Second Lieutenant House’s unquestionable valor in aerial combat is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the Far East Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Second Lieutenant (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    7th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    49th Pursuit Group

    Division:

    5th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II
    Headquarters, Headquarters, U.S. Army Forces, Pacific, General Orders No. 312 (August 24, 1946)

    (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 Second Lieutenant (Air Corps) A. T. House, Jr. (ASN: 0-406351), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving Pilot of a P-40 Warhawk Fighter Airplane of the 7th Fighter Squadron, 49th Pursuit Group, FIFTH Air Force, in aerial operations in the Southwest Pacific Theater of Operations, in 1942. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Second Lieutenant House, 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 Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Second Lieutenant (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    7th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    49th Pursuit Group

    Division:

    Far East Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Second Lieutenant (Air Corps) A. T. House, Jr. (ASN: 0-406351), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a P-40 Fighter Pilot of the 7th Fighter Squadron, 49th Fighter Group, FAR EAST Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the Pacific Theater of Operations 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.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Colonel

    Batallion:

    7th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    49th Pursuit Group

    Division:

    5th Air Force

    Action Date:

    April 9, 1942 – September 1, 1942
    Headquarters, U.S. Forces, Pacific, General Orders No. 311 (August 24, 1946)

    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 A. T. House, Jr. (ASN: 0-406351), United States Army Air Forces, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States, while serving with the 7th Pursuit Squadron, 49th Pursuit Group, FIFTH Air Force, from 9 April 1942 to 1 September 1942.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Second Lieutenant (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    7th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    49th Pursuit Group

    Division:

    5th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II
    Headquarters, Headquarters, U.S. Army Forces, Pacific, General Orders No. 320 (August 28, 1946)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: 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 Second Lieutenant (Air Corps) A. T. House, Jr. (ASN: 0-406351), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving Pilot of a P-40 Warhawk Fighter Airplane of the 7th Fighter Squadron, 49th Pursuit Group, FIFTH Air Force, in aerial operations in the Southwest Pacific Theater of Operations, in 1942. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Second Lieutenant House, 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.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    7th Pursuit Squadron

    Regiment:

    49th Pursuit Group

    Division:

    5th Air Force

    Action Date:

    January 9, 1943
    Headquarters, Headquarters, U.S. Army Forces, Pacific, General Orders No. 321 (August 23, 1946)

    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 Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps) A. T. House, Jr. (ASN: 0-406351), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy as Pilot of a P-40 Warhawk Fighter Airplane of the 7th Pursuit Squadron, 49th Fighter Group, FIFTH Air Force, in action in New Guinea, on 9 January 1943. As Colonel House led a unit of several aircraft towards a projected dive bombing operation against enemy transports in Lee Harbor, he discovered an enemy aircraft following his formation. Realizing his unit would be forced to jettison its bomb load and abandon the mission if the enemy attacked successfully, he pulled away from the formation, dropped his bombs, boldly attacked the hostile airplane and skillfully shot it down, thereby enabling his formation to complete its mission successfully. Through his exceptional fortitude, sound judgment, and exceptional ability, Colonel House exemplified the highest traditions of the United States Army Air Forces.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Major (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    7th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    49th Pursuit Group

    Division:

    Far East Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major (Air Corps) A. T. House, Jr. (ASN: 0-406351), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded a Fourth Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fifth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a P-40 Fighter Pilot of the 7th Fighter Squadron, 49th Fighter Group, FAR EAST Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the Pacific Theater of Operations 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.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Second Lieutenant (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    7th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    49th Pursuit Group

    Division:

    Far East Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Second Lieutenant (Air Corps) A. T. House, Jr. (ASN: 0-406351), 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-40 Fighter Pilot of the 7th Fighter Squadron, 49th Fighter Group, FAR EAST Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the Pacific Theater of Operations 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.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Major (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    7th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    49th Pursuit Group

    Division:

    Far East Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major (Air Corps) A. T. House, Jr. (ASN: 0-406351), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded a Silver Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Sixth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a P-40 Fighter Pilot of the 7th Fighter Squadron, 49th Fighter Group, FAR EAST Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the Pacific Theater of Operations 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.