Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Richard
Gomez
Candelaria
POW (WWII)
July 14, 1922

–

Born:

Pasadena

, 

California

Home:

Pasadena

, 

California

During World War II, Richard Candelaria became a U.S. Army Air Forces ACE, credited with shooting down 6 enemy aircraft in aerial combat before he was himself shot down and held as a Prisoner of War. After returning home in 1945, he subsequently entered the Air National Guard, retiring as a U.S. Air Force Colonel.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    435th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    479th Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II
    Headquarters, 8th Air Force, General Orders No. 115 (July 15, 1945)

    (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 First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Richard Gomez Candelaria (ASN: 0-766418), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as a P-51 Mustang Fighter Pilot of the 435th Fighter Squadron, 479th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in aerial operations in the Pacific Theater of Operations during World War II. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by First Lieutenant Candelaria, 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.

  • Prisoner of War Medal

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    435th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    479th Fighter Group

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (Germany)

    Action Date:

    April 13, 1945 – May 1945
    NARA Database: Records of World War II Prisoners of War, created, 1942 – 37078

    First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Richard Gomez Candelaria (ASN: 0-766418), United States Army Air Forces, was shot down and captured by German forces on 13 April 1945, and was held as a Prisoner of War until his return to U.S. Military Control at the end of hostilities in May 1945.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    435th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    479th Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Richard Gomez Candelaria (ASN: 0-766418), 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 Mustang Fighter Pilot of the 435th Fighter Squadron, 479th 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.