Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Edward
John
Czarnecki
October 14, 1922

–

July 27, 1955

Born:

Wilmington

, 

Delaware

Home:

Wilmington

, 

Delaware

Buried: 

Wilmington

, 

Delaware

Cemetery:

Cathedral Cemetery

Edward Czarnecki joined the Royal Canadian Air Force in December 1941, and in May 1942, enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps. During World War II, he became a U.S. Army Air Forces ACE, credited with shooting down 6 enemy aircraft in aerial combat. Forced to bail out of his damaged fighter on a fighter sweep of Rabaul on October 23, 1943, he evaded Japanese patrols and was rescued the following February by the submarine U.S.S. Gato.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Captain (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    431st Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    475th Fighter Group

    Division:

    5th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain (Air Corps) Edward John Czarnecki (ASN: 0-732179), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a Fighter Pilot of the 431st Fighter Squadron, 475th Fighter Group, FIFTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the Pacific 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:

    First Lieutenant (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    431st Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    475th Fighter Group

    Division:

    5th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II
    Headquarters, 5th Air Force, General Orders No. 12 (January 5, 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 First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Edward John Czarnecki (ASN: 0-732179), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-38 Lightning Fighter Airplane in the 431st Fighter Squadron, 475th Fighter Group, FIFTH Air Force, in operations in the Southwest Pacific Theater of Operations during World War II. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by First Lieutenant Czarnecki, 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.