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Howard
M.
Dallman
POW (WWII)
January 7, 1921

–

August 23, 2000

Cemetery:

Cremated

Howard Dallman flew 45 missions as a B-17 bomber pilot in Italy during World War II, before he was shot down on October 23, 1944, and interned as a Prisoner of War. In March 1966 he participated in the invasion of the Dominican Republic and in April that year flew two combat missions in Southeast Asia. In July 1967 he returned for a tour of combat duty flying 95 combat missions in Southeast Asia, and in February 1968 became the first Tactical Airlift Pilot to be awarded the Air Force Cross. He retired as an Air Force Colonel on June 30, 1974.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    840th Bombardment Squadron

    Regiment:

    483d Bombardment Group

    Division:

    15th Air Force

    Action Date:

    September 17, 1944

    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 First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Howard M. Dallman (AFSN: 0-823814), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Co-Pilot of a bomber in the 840th Bombardment Squadron, 483d Bombardment Group, FIFTEENTH Air Force, in Czechoslovakia on 17 September 1944. Showing a high order of courage, leadership and professional skill, Lieutenant Dallman distinguished himself throughout many long and hazardous combat missions against the enemy despite severe and adverse weather conditions and enemy opposition by large numbers of fighter aircraft and intense, accurate and heavy anti-aircraft fire. Displaying great combat spirit and aggressiveness, he has met, engaged and defeated the enemy regardless of the odds and in spite of the fact that at times planes were so severely damaged that only by extraordinary skill and fortitude were they able to fight their way through to the objectives and aid in the grave damage inflicted upon the enemy. By his heroism, skill and airmanship, as shown throughout his combat career, together with his intense devotion to duty during this period of intense combat operations against the enemy, Lieutenant Dallman has upheld the highest traditions of the military service, thereby reflecting great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States of America.

  • Air Force Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel

    Batallion:

    345th Tactical Airlift Squadron

    Division:

    Tuy Hoa Air Base, Vietnam

    Action Date:

    February 5, 1968

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Title 10, Section 8742, United States Code, takes pleasure in presenting the Air Force Cross to Lieutenant Colonel Howard M. Dallman (AFSN: 0-823814), United States Air Force, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force while serving with the 345th Tactical Airlift Squadron, Tuy Hoa Air Base, Vietnam, as a C-130E Aircraft Commander in Southeast Asia on 5 February 1968. On that date, Colonel Dallman was flying a combat mission in support of friendly ground forces engaged in the defense of a beleaguered outpost. The mission was to fly 35,000 pounds of needed ammunition and a medical evacuation team from DaNang to Khe Sanh, which was under siege. Immediately after landing at Khe Sanh, the aircraft was hit by a volley of armor piercing rounds which ignited the explosive cargo. With complete disregard for his personal safety, Colonel Dallman elected to back the aircraft to a safe area where an explosion would not endanger the defending ground forces. There he directed the orderly evacuation of the medical evacuation team from the stricken aircraft. He then proceeded to fight the fire, which had spread to the cargo department. Through his actions he not only saved lives and a valuable aircraft, but also prevented a large portion of the Khe Sanh airfield from being destroyed by an explosion. Through his extraordinary heroism, superb airmanship, and aggressiveness in the face of hostile forces, Lieutenant Colonel Dallman reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Prisoner of War Medal

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant

    Action Date:

    October 23, 1944 – April 29, 1945

    First Lieutenant Howard M. Dallman (AFSN: 0-823814), United States Army Air Forces, was captured after he was shot down in Europe on 23 October 1944 and was held as a Prisoner of War in Germany until his release on April 29, 1945.