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John
Leard
Elder
, Jr.
April 8, 1919

–

July 27, 1996

Born:

Ebensburg

, 

Pennsylvania

Home:

Ebensburg

, 

Pennsylvania

Buried: 

Ebensburg

, 

Pennsylvania

Cemetery:

Lloyd Cemetery

John Elder became a World War II ACE-in-a-DAY, credited with destroying 5 aircraft in a single engagement and a wartime total of 8 enemy aircraft in aerial combat plus 1 damaged, and 13 enemy aircraft on the ground while strafing enemy airfields. After the war he transferred to the new U.S. Air Force, and retired in 1966 as a Lieutenant Colonel.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    357th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    355th Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps) John Leard Elder, Jr. (ASN: 0-660123), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a Fighter Pilot of the 357th Fighter Squadron, 355th 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.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Major (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    357th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    355th Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    November 2, 1944
    Headquarters, 8th Air Force, General Orders No. 9 (January 8, 1945)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Major (Air Corps) John Leard Elder, Jr. (ASN: 0-660123), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy as a Fighter Pilot of the 357th Fighter Squadron, 355th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in action while furnishing withdrawal support for a formation of heavy bombers over Germany, 2 November 1944. Shortly after his group frustrated an attack by jet propelled fighters, Major Elder observed an airdrome with several planes circling to land. Singling out a ME-109, he destroyed it, and without previous knowledge as to the extent of ground defenses, launched a bold strafing attack. Leading his squadron in five successive sweeps over the field in the face of heavy anti-aircraft fire, he personally destroyed five enemy planes and neutralized two gun positions before retiring with a damaged engine. On the return journey, he ignored the condition of his aircraft to protect a crash landed pilot against possible attack by low flying fighters until he could reach cover. The damaging blow dealt the enemy on this occasion is largely attributable to Major Elder’s gallant leadership and indomitable fighting spirit.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    357th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    355th Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps) John Leard Elder, Jr. (ASN: 0-660123), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded a Silver Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Sixth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a Fighter Pilot of the 357th Fighter Squadron, 355th 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.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    357th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    355th Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps) John Leard Elder, Jr. (ASN: 0-660123), 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 while serving as a Fighter Pilot of the 357th Fighter Squadron, 355th 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.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    357th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    355th Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps) John Leard Elder, Jr. (ASN: 0-660123), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a Fighter Pilot of the 357th Fighter Squadron, 355th 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.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    357th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    355th Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II
    Headquarters, 8th Air Force, General Orders No. 105 (June 28. 1945)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: 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 Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps) John Leard Elder, Jr. (ASN: 0-660123), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a Fighter Airplane in the 357th Fighter Squadron, 355th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in aerial operations in the European Theater of Operations during World War II. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Lieutenant Colonel Elder, 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.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    357th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    355th Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps) John Leard Elder, Jr. (ASN: 0-660123), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded a Fourth Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fifth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a Fighter Pilot of the 357th Fighter Squadron, 355th 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.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    357th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    355th Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps) John Leard Elder, Jr. (ASN: 0-660123), 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 357th Fighter Squadron, 355th 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.