Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Ramsey
Douglas
Potts
, Jr.
October 24, 1916

–

May 28, 2006

Born:

Memphis

, 

Tennessee

Home:

Memphis

, 

Tennessee

Buried: 

Arlington

, 

Virginia

Cemetery:

Arlington National Cemetery

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. Ramsey Potts, in addition to receiving a DSC for the Ploesti mission, also earned two Silver Stars in 1943.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Major (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    330th Bombardment Squadron

    Regiment:

    93d Bombardment Group (H)

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II
    Headquarters, 8th Air Force, General Orders No. 150 (December 30, 1943)

    (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 Major (Air Corps) Ramsey Douglas Potts, Jr. (ASN: 0-431039), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a B-24 Liberator Bomber of the 330th Bombardment Squadron, 93d Bombardment Group (Heavy), NINTH Air Force, in aerial operations in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations, in 1943. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Major Potts, 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:

    Major (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    330th Bombardment Squadron

    Regiment:

    93d Bombardment Group (H)

    Division:

    9th Air Force (Attached)

    Action Date:

    August 1, 1943
    Headquarters, Ninth U.S. Army Air Force, General Orders No. 88 (September 15, 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 Major (Air Corps) Ramsey Douglas Potts, Jr. (ASN: 0-431039), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Commander of a Squadron of B-24 Heavy Bombers of the 330th Bombardment Squadron, 93d 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 Potts commanded his squadron gallantly as they flew through heavy enemy fire against impossible odds. In confusion while approaching the target, and with the primary target out of range, Major Potts directed his bombers to attack targets of opportunity, inflicting heavy damage on the German oil installations. The heroic leadership, personal courage and zealous devotion to duty displayed by Major Potts 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.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Major (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    330th Bombardment Squadron

    Regiment:

    93d Bombardment Group (H)

    Division:

    9th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II
    Headquarters, 9th Air Force, General Orders No. 131 (August 17, 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 Silver Star to Major (Air Corps) Ramsey Douglas Potts, Jr. (ASN: 0-431039), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a B-24 Liberator Bomber of the 330th Bombardment Squadron, 93d Bombardment Group (Heavy), NINTH Air Force, in aerial operations in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations, in 1943. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Major Potts, 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.