As an Army Air Forces Fighter Pilot in World War II, Brooks Liles was credited with shooting down one enemy aircraft before he was hit by ground fire and crashed in a farmer’s field near Prague, Czechoslovakia. Fellow pilot Lieutenant Bernard Howes courageously landed in an effort to rescue him, but as the two men took off in Howes’ plane, it hit a ditch, crashed, and both men were captured and held as Prisoners of War until the end of the war. Returning to service in Korea as a fighter pilot, Brooks Liles was credited with shooting down FOUR MiG-15s to become a U.S. Air Force ACE. He retired in 1965 as a U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel.
Sponsored by:
Brooks
Jonathan
Liles
POW (WWII)
May 3, 1921
–
May 28, 2008
Born:
Archer Lodge
,
North Carolina
Home:
Beaufort
,
North Carolina
Buried:
Arlington
,
Virginia
Cemetery:
Arlington National Cemetery
Awards Received
-
Silver Star
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
-
Prisoner of War Medal
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
-
Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainBatallion:
336th Fighter-Interceptor SquadronRegiment:
4th Fighter-Interceptor GroupDivision:
5th Air ForceAction Date:
April 22, 1952
(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 Captain Brooks Jonathan Liles (ASN: AO-744720), United States Air Force, for gallantry in action while serving as Pilot of an F-86 Sabrejet in the 3326th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 4th Fighter-Interceptor Group, FIFTH Air Force, in Korea, on 22 April 1952. On that date, Captain Liles shot down his fourth enemy MiG fighter in aerial combat in a 60 day period. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Captain Liles, 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 Air Force.
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainBatallion:
336th Fighter-Interceptor SquadronRegiment:
4th Fighter-Interceptor WingAction Date:
Korean War
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain Brooks Jonathan Liles (ASN: 0-744720), United States Air Force, 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 Pilot of an F-86 Sabrejet in the 3326th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 4th Fighter-Interceptor Wing, in Korea.
-
Prisoner of War Medal
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
First Lieutenant (Air Corps)Division:
Prisoner of War (Germany)Action Date:
March – May 1945
First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Brooks Jonathan Liles (ASN: 0-744720), United States Army Air Forces, was captured by German forces after his fighter airplane was shot down in March 1945 near Prague, Czechoslovakia, and was held as a Prisoner of War until the end of hostilities in May 1945.
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
First Lieutenant (Air Corps)Regiment:
3d Air DivisionAction Date:
February 19 & 20, 1945
Headquarters, 3d Air Division, General Orders No. 1009 (May 17, 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 First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Brooks Jonathan Liles (ASN: AO-744720), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as Pilot of a fighter type aircraft on bomber escort and strafing missions against Nurenburg, Germany, 19 February 1945, and against Nienburg, Germany, 20 February 1945. Despite intense anti-aircraft fire in the Nurenburg area, Lieutenant Liles destroyed numerous enemy rail transport facilities and other targets. In the Nienburg area, again opposed by concentrated anti-aircraft fire, Lieutenant Liles attacked and destroyed many enemy ground installations. The outstanding determination, flying skill and devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Liles reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Army Air Forces.
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainBatallion:
336th Fighter-Interceptor SquadronRegiment:
4th Fighter-Interceptor WingAction Date:
April 21, 1952
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Brooks Jonathan Liles (ASN: AO-744720), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as Pilot of an F-86 Sabrejet in the 3326th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 4th Fighter-Interceptor Wing, FIFTH Air Force, in Korea on 21 April 1952. As flight leader of a flight of four F-86 type aircraft on a combat air patrol in the Sinuiju area, Captain Liles attacked one enemy MiG-15 type aircraft, closing and firing on two other F-86’s. Quickly maneuvering into firing position on the MiG-15, Captain Liles warned the F-86’s being pursued to break to the left. The MiG-15 was forced to break off the attack. Captain Liles fired several bursts and caused several strikes on the MiG-15, forcing the pilot to bail out. The outstanding gallantry in action and superior leadership displayed by Captain Liles on this occasion reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.