Navy Federal Credit Union

During World War II, James Stewart became a U.S. Army Air Forces DOUBLE ACE, credited with shooting down 11.5 enemy aircraft in aerial combat. After the war he transferred to the new U.S. Air Force, and retired in 1966 as a Lieutenant Colonel.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Major (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    61st Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    56th Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major (Air Corps) James Clarence Stewart (ASN: 0-366788), 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-47 Fighter Pilot of the 61st Fighter Squadron, 56th 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 Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Major (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    61st Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    56th Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    March 8, 1944

    Headquarters, U.S. Strategic Forces in Europe, General Orders No. 43 (July 13, 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 Distinguished Service Cross to Major (Air Corps) James Clarence Stewart (ASN: 0-366788), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-47 Fighter Airplane in the 61st Fighter Squadron, 56th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces on 8 March 1944, in the European Theater of Operations. On this date, in aerial combat, Major Stewart shot down two enemy aircraft. Major Stewart’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 Forces

    Rank:

    Major (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    61st Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    56th Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major (Air Corps) James Clarence Stewart (ASN: 0-366788), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a P-47 Fighter Pilot of the 61st Fighter Squadron, 56th 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 Forces

    Rank:

    Major (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    61st Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    56th Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major (Air Corps) James Clarence Stewart (ASN: 0-366788), 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-47 Fighter Pilot of the 61st Fighter Squadron, 56th 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 Forces

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    61st Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    56th Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    Headquarters, 8th Air Force, General Orders No. 470 (July 27, 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) James Clarence Stewart (ASN: 0-366788), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-47 Thunderbolt Fighter Airplane of the 61st Fighter Squadron, 56th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in aerial operations in the European Theater of Operations, in 1943 and 1944. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Lieutenant Colonel Stewart, 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:

    Major (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    61st Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    56th Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major (Air Corps) James Clarence Stewart (ASN: 0-366788), 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-47 Fighter Pilot of the 61st Fighter Squadron, 56th 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 Forces

    Rank:

    Major (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    61st Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    56th Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major (Air Corps) James Clarence Stewart (ASN: 0-366788), 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-47 Fighter Pilot of the 61st Fighter Squadron, 56th 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.