During World War II, Elwyn Righetti became a U.S. Army Air Forces ACE, credited with shooting down 7.5 enemy aircraft in aerial combat. On April 17, 1945, his 30th Birthday, he earned the DSC in his final mission, during which he was also listed as missing in action. His P-51 was hit by flak and he crash landed, and even radioed that he was okay, however nothing more was ever heard of him and it is believed he may have been killed by German civilians.
Sponsored by:
Elwyn
Guido
Righetti
MIA (WWII) KIA
April 17, 1915
–
April 17, 1945
Born:
San Luis Obispo
,
California
Home:
San Luis Obispo
,
California
Buried:
Henri-Chapelle
,
Belgium
Cemetery:
A.B.M.C. Henri-Chapelle
Awards Received
-
Distinguished Service Cross
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
-
Silver Star
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
-
Distinguished Service Cross
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Colonel (Air Corps)Regiment:
55th Fighter GroupDivision:
8th Air ForceAction Date:
April 17, 1945
Headquarters, U.S. Army Air Forces in Europe, General Orders No. 134 (October 14, 1945)(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Colonel (Air Corps) Elwyn Guido Righetti (ASN: 0-396312), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-51 Fighter Airplane in the Headquarters, 55th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces on 7 April 17, 1945, flying escort for a bombing mission over Dresden, Germany. Colonel Righetti’s unquestionable valor in aerial combat is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 8th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Colonel (Air Corps)Batallion:
338th Fighter SquadronRegiment:
55th Fighter GroupDivision:
8th Air ForceAction Date:
World War II
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Colonel (Air Corps) Elwyn Guido Righetti (ASN: 0-396312), 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-51 Fighter Pilot of the 338th Fighter Squadron, 55th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the European 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.
-
Silver Star
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps)Batallion:
338th Fighter SquadronRegiment:
55th Fighter GroupDivision:
8th Air ForceAction Date:
April 17, 1945
Headquarters, 8th Air Force, General Orders No. 109 (July 2, 1945)(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps) Elwyn Guido Righetti (ASN: 0-396312), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-51 Mustang Fighter Airplane of the 338th Fighter Squadron, 55th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in aerial operations in the European Theater of Operations, on or about April 17, 1945. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Lieutenant Colonel Righetti, 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 ForcesRank:
Colonel (Air Corps)Batallion:
338th Fighter SquadronRegiment:
55th Fighter GroupDivision:
8th Air ForceAction Date:
World War II
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Colonel (Air Corps) Elwyn Guido Righetti (ASN: 0-396312), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a P-51 Fighter Pilot of the 338th Fighter Squadron, 55th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the European 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 ForcesRank:
Colonel (Air Corps)Batallion:
338th Fighter SquadronRegiment:
55th Fighter GroupDivision:
8th Air ForceAction Date:
World War II
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Colonel (Air Corps) Elwyn Guido Righetti (ASN: 0-396312), 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-51 Fighter Pilot of the 338th Fighter Squadron, 55th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the European 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 ForcesRank:
Colonel (Air Corps)Batallion:
338th Fighter SquadronRegiment:
55th Fighter GroupDivision:
8th Air ForceAction Date:
World War II
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Colonel (Air Corps) Elwyn Guido Righetti (ASN: 0-396312), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a P-51 Fighter Pilot of the 338th Fighter Squadron, 55th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the European 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.