Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Joseph
Randall
Holzapple
1914

–

November 14, 1973

Born:

Peoria

, 

Illinois

Home:

Peoria

, 

Illinois

Buried: 

Arlington

, 

Virginia

Cemetery:

Arlington National Cemetery

Joseph Holzapple was commissioned in the Army Air Forces in 1941 and earned a Silver Star and two Distinguished Flying Crosses as Pilot of a B-26 Marauder and later B-25 Mitchell Bomber. After serving in the Army Air Forces in World War II, he transferred to the U.S. Air Force when it became a separate branch of service in 1947. He retired in 1971 as a U.S. Air Force 4-Star General.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Captain (Air Corps)

    Regiment:

    319th Bombardment Group

    Division:

    12th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain (Air Corps) Joseph Randall Holzapple, United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as Pilot of a B-26 Marauder and Commanding Officer of the 319th Bombardment Group, TWELFTH Air Force, in the Pacific Theater of Operations during World War II. His devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    General

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: General Joseph Randall Holzapple, United States Air Force, was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Holzapple and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Air Force Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    General

    Action Date:

    1969 – 1971

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: General Joseph Randall Holzapple, United States Air Force, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States, culminating as Commander in Chief, U.S. Air Forces in Europe, with headquarters at Lindsey Air Station, Wiesbaden, Germany, and Commander of the Fourth Allied Tactical Air Force with headquarters at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, from 1969 to 1971. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Holzapple culminate a long and distinguished career in the service of his country and his dedicated contributions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Air Force Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    General

    Action Date:

    1966 – 1968

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: General Joseph Randall Holzapple, United States Air Force, was awarded the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States Deputy Chief of Staff for Research and Development, Headquarters, U.S. Air Force, from 1966 to 1968. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Holzapple and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Captain (Air Corps)

    Regiment:

    319th Bombardment Group

    Division:

    12th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain (Air Corps) Joseph Randall Holzapple, 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 Pilot of a B-26 Marauder and Commanding Officer of the 319th Bombardment Group, TWELFTH Air Force, in the Pacific Theater of Operations during World War II. His devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Captain (Air Corps)

    Regiment:

    319th Bombardment Group (M)

    Division:

    12th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II
    Headquarters, 12th Air Force, General Orders No. 168 (September 12, 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 Captain (Air Corps) Joseph Randall Holzapple (ASN: 0-424953), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving Pilot of a B-26 Marauder Bomber of the 319th Bombardment Group (Medium), TWELFTH Air Force, in aerial operations in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations during World War II. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Captain Holzapple, 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.