The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Colonel (Air Corps) Harvey Thompson Alness (ASN: 0-19531), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action while serving as Commanding Officer and Command Pilot of a B-24 Liberator Bomber of the 7th Bombardment Group (Heavy), 10th Air Force in the China-Burma-India Theater of Operations. On 9 February 1945, he volunteered to participate, as pilot, in a long, low-level bombardment mission against a bridge target in Thailand, a vital link in the enemy transportation system in Southeast Asia. The flight was carried out at extremely low latitude to escape detection by enemy air warning stations and to avoid numerous active enemy airfields. Carrying large overloads, he piloted one of two heavy bombardment aircraft, unescorted, for over fourteen hours between high mountain peaks and over jungle terrain. Over the target, each made five separate attacks, diving at great speed to properly place their bombs on the inaccessible and heavily defended target. Through intense anti-aircraft fire, they remained in the target area for over one hour, often below 100 foot altitude, until the attack was completed with the destruction of the bridge. In this important operation, though under great physical strain, he exhibited outstanding leadership, superb flying skill and grim determination in the accomplishment of his objective. His gallantry in action against the enemy, his efficient employment of unorthodox bombing techniques and utter disregard for personal safety reflect credit upon himself and the Army Air Forces of the United States.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Legion of Merit
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Legion of Merit
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
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Silver Star
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Major GeneralAction Date:
October 1, 1956 – March 10, 1960
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit to Major General Harvey Thompson Alness (ASN: 0-19531), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States from 1 October 1956 through 10 March 1960 while serving with the Continental Air Defense Command, later designated the North American Air Defense Command. During this period, General Alness directed the operations of the forces of the several military services in his command and quickly united them into an effective joint air defense force. While serving as Vice Chief of Staff and later Assistant Chief of Staff, General Alness displayed an unusual organizational ability and knowledge of the forces involved. In addition, he has maintained a dispassionate, objective, and unprejudiced attitude in establishing and maintaining an effective inter-service and international force. The selfless devotion to duty, outstanding professional ability, integrity and personal leadership demonstrated by General Alness reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Brigadier GeneralAction Date:
June 22, 1953 – July 1, 1956
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Brigadier General Harvey Thompson Alness (ASN: 0-19531), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States from 22 June 1953 through 1 July 1956 as Chairman of the New Look Committee; Chief, War Plans Division; Deputy Director of Plans and Air Force Member of the Joint Strategic Plans Committee, Headquarters, United States Air Force. During this period, General Alness conducted war planning and directed others in this activity to the extent that the major objectives of the Air Force have been accurately portrayed and largely obtained. World-wide defenses have been achieved and mutual agreements between the nations of the free world have been obtained to the complete satisfaction of the various governmental agencies and countries involved. His foresight and vast knowledge of the Air Force and its objectives have enabled him to present long range plans for forces, material and weapons systems all of which have had a far reaching effect on the preparedness of the Air Force and have been highly influential in the formulation of our most vital decisions of national and international importance. The outstanding leadership, devotion to duty, and ability displayed by General Alness reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Major (Air Corps)Regiment:
7th Bombardment GroupDivision:
10th Air ForceAction Date:
March 19, 1945
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 Major (Air Corps) Harvey Thompson Alness (ASN: 0-19531), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Commanding Officer, 7th Bombardment Group, TENTH Air Force. On 19 March 1945 he led a large formation of heavy bombardment aircraft on the longest known formation attack mission from heavy bombers carried out in any theater of operation. Under his direction, this 2,700-mile flight was carried out with loss of only one crew member, this due to enemy antiaircraft fire. Exceptional bombing results were obtained on rail and road bridges vital to the enemy’s line of supply. His outstanding leadership, aggressiveness and skill on this mission reflect great credit upon the Army Air Forces of the United States.
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Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant GeneralAction Date:
September 1, 1962 – February 29, 1964
Department of the Air Force, General Orders No. GB-54 (1964)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting Air Force Distinguished Service Medal (Army Design) to Lieutenant General Harvey Thompson Alness (ASN: 0-19531), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility as Director, Weapons Systems Evaluation Group, Office of the Director of Defense Research and Engineering, Office of the Secretary of Defense, from 1 September 1962 through 29 February 1964. General Alness, with wide experience gained through combat and highly responsible staff assignments over more than 29 years of distinguished service, provided guidance and leadership of the highest order for the Weapons Systems Evaluation Group. During his tenure, numerous studies of vital import to the nation’s future security were accomplished with thoroughness and dispatch. His staunch personal qualities, high sense of responsibility, and extreme dedication to the service of his country enabled him to blend the civilian, technical, and military effort in the Weapons Systems Evaluation Group into a concerted effort of exceptional quality and compatibility. These accomplishments culminate a long and distinguished career in the military services of the United States of America and reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Colonel (Air Corps)Regiment:
7th Bombardment Group (H)Division:
10th Air ForceAction Date:
February 9, 1945
Headquarters, 10th Air Force, General Orders No. 53 (February 6, 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 Colonel (Air Corps) Harvey Thompson Alness (ASN: 0-19531), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Commanding Officer and Command Pilot of a B-24 Liberator Bomber of the 7th Bombardment Group (Heavy), TENTH Air Force, in aerial operations in the China-Burma-India Theater of Operations during World War II. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Colonel Alness, 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.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Major (Air Corps)Regiment:
7th Bombardment GroupDivision:
10th Air ForceAction Date:
World War II
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major (Air Corps) Harvey Thompson Alness (ASN: 0-19531), 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 as Commanding Officer, 7th Bombardment Group, TENTH Air Force, during World War II. 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.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Colonel (Air Corps)Regiment:
7th Bombardment GroupDivision:
10th Air ForceAction Date:
September 20, 1944 – January 25, 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 Colonel (Air Corps) Harvey Thompson Alness (ASN: 0-19531), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Commanding Officer, 7th Bombardment Group, TENTH Air Force. Colonel Alness participated in heavy bombardment missions and allied operational flights totaling more than three hundred hours during which exposure to enemy fire was probable and expected. These flights, in which he has flown from bases in India, over Burma, Thailand, China and the Amdaman Islands, have been eminently successful. The devotion to duty exhibited in the execution of these assignments, and the cooperation displayed therein, as an essential and vital part of a combat team, has contributed much to the successes characterizing these operations.