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The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Major (Air Corps), [then Captain] William Arthur Shomo (ASN: 0-439677), United States Army Air Forces, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty on 11 January 1945, while serving with the 82d Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, 71st Reconnaissance Group, 308th Bombardment Wing, Fifth Air Force, over Luzon, Philippine Islands. Major Shomo was lead pilot of a flight of two fighter planes charged with an armed photographic and strafing mission against the Aparri and Laoag airdromes. While en route to the objective, he observed an enemy twin engine bomber, protected by 12 fighters, flying about 2,500 feet above him and in the opposite direction Although the odds were thirteen-to-two, Major Shomo immediately ordered an attack. Accompanied by his wingman he closed on the enemy formation in a climbing turn and scored hits on the leading plane of the third element, which exploded in midair. Major Shomo then attacked the second element from the left side of the formation and shot another fighter down in flames. When the enemy formed for Counterattack, Major Shomo moved to the other side of the formation and hit a third fighter which exploded and fell. Diving below the bomber he put a burst into its underside and it crashed and burned. Pulling up from this pass he encountered a fifth plane firing head on and destroyed it. He next dived upon the first element and shot down the lead plane; then diving to 300 feet in pursuit of another fighter he caught it with his initial burst and it crashed in flames. During this action his wingman had shot down three planes, while the three remaining enemy fighters had fled into a cloudbank and escaped. Major Shomo’s extraordinary gallantry and intrepidity in attacking such a far superior force and destroying seven enemy aircraft in one action is unparalleled in the southwest Pacific area.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Major (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    82d Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron

    Regiment:

    71st Reconnaissance Group, 308th Bombardment Wing

    Division:

    5th Air Force

    Action Date:

    January 8, 1945

    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) William Arthur Shomo (ASN: 0-439677), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a P-51 Fighter Pilot with the 82d Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, 71st Reconnaissance Group, 308th Bombardment Wing, FIFTH Air Force, in an aerial flight over Luzon, Philippine Islands, on 8 January 1945. Major Shomo led a flight often F-6Ds and six P-40s on a reconnaissance sweep of the Carmen, Lingayen, Resales and Baguio airstrips, with the further purpose of seeking out and destroying Japanese rolling stock, equipment, and personnel in the Luzon central plains area. An American landing was to be made at Lingayen Gulf the following morning and it was important that Japanese reinforcements from the south be prevented from strengthening enemy positions in the Lingayen area. Flying at minimum altitude and exposed to enemy anti-aircraft fire and small arms automatic weapons fire, he led his flight on strafing attacks which destroyed one large oil tank, 19 trucks, one sedan, one locomotive, one bomber and three single engine aircraft, four boxcars, three freight and three artillery pieces with horses and accompanying troops, and killed many Japanese out of a detachment of 200 that hid in the ditches along the road. Severely damaged were one truck, sixteen freight cars, and two sedans. In addition to hampering enemy operations in that area, he returned with intelligence information of great value to the ground forces. The outstanding courage and devotion to duty displayed by Major Shomo during this flight are in keeping with the highest tradition of the United States Air Forces.