Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Truman
Hempel
Landon
1905

–

January 27, 1986

Born:

Maryville

, 

Missouri

Home:

Carlinville

, 

Illinois

Buried: 

Colorado Springs

, 

Colorado

Cemetery:

U.S. Air Force Academy Cemetery

Truman Landon graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Class of 1928. As Commander of the 38th Reconnaissance Squadron from 1939 to 1942, he participated in the first mass flight of B-17s from California to Hawaii in May 1937, and was inbound in a flight of B-17s even as the Japanese were attacking Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. He retired in 1963 as a U.S. Air Force 4-Star General.

Awards Received

  • Army Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Brigadier General

    Action Date:

    February 1 – December 10, 1944
    War Department, General Orders No. 20 (March 29, 1945)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Brigadier General Truman Hempel Landon (ASN: 0-17268/93A), United States Army Air Forces, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility as Commanding General of the Seventh Bomber Command, SEVENTH Air Force, in the Central Pacific and also as commander a Joint Task Group under Admiral Nimitz during the period 1 February to 10 December 1944. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Landon and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Brigadier General

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Brigadier General Truman Hempel Landon (ASN: 0-17268/93A), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight 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.

  • Air Force Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    General

    Action Date:

    July 1, 1961 – July 31, 1963
    Department of the Air Force, General Orders No. G-100 (August 9, 1963)

    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 Air Force Distinguished Service Medal (Army Design) to General Truman Hempel Landon (ASN: 0-17268/93A), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility during the period 1 July 1961 through 31 July 1963. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Landon 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:

    Brigadier General [then Major (Air Corps)]

    Regiment:

    19th Bombardment Group (H)

    Action Date:

    May 12 – 13, 1941
    War Department, General Orders No. 33 (April 24, 1944)

    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 Brigadier General [then Major (Air Corps)] Truman Hempel Landon (ASN: 0-17268/93A), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while participating in the first mass flight of B-17’s from Hamilton Field, San Rafael, California, to Hickam Field, Oahu, Territory of Hawaii, as Pilot on 12 – 13 May 1941. This flight of the 19th Bombardment Group (Heavy) was the pioneer flight from the mainland to Hawaii upon which future operations of land based aircraft were developed. The mission was accomplished in the face of adverse winds which necessitated a flight of maximum duration. The combined efforts of each crew member resulted in the safe arrival of all airplanes involved on the flight. The services of Brigadier General Landon reflect highest credit to the military forces of the United States.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Brigadier General

    Action Date:

    October 1, 1943 – January 31, 1944

    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 Truman Hempel Landon (ASN: 0-17268/93A), United States Army Air Forces, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commanding General, VII Bomber Command, from 1 October 1943 to 31 January 1944. General Landon was directly responsible for the rapid and successful training which brought his inexperienced combat crews to a high degree of operating efficiency. His heavy bombardment units contributed much to the success of the Marshall Islands campaign, completing one hundred and nine sorties with a loss of only five aircraft. General Landon’s untiring devotion to duty and constant personal attention to the welfare of his crews reflect great credit upon himself and the military service.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps), [then Major]

    Batallion:

    18th Reconnaissance Squadron (H)

    Division:

    7th Air Force

    Action Date:

    December 7, 1941
    Headquarters, VII Bomber Command, General Orders No. 18 (March 13, 1942)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps), [then Major] Truman Hempel Landon (ASN: 0-17268/93A), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action, conspicuous bravery, coolness and expert handling of his airplane while serving as Pilot of a B-17 Flying Fortress Bomber of the 18th Reconnaissance Squadron (Heavy), SEVENTH Air Force, during the Japanese aerial attack on Hickam Field, Territory of Hawaii, on 7 December 1941. Major Landon, Echelon Commander on a flight from Hamilton Field, California, after an all-night flight and with only a small quantity of gasoline remaining which necessitated an early landing, arrived in the vicinity of Hickam Field during the Japanese attack and was subjected to heavy anti-aircraft fire and was attacked by Japanese aircraft. Lieutenant Colonel Landon’s flight was unarmed and unprepared for an attack and rather than risk damaging the aircraft under his control by landing in an inadequate, although protected field, brought about the safe landing of his flight through his skill, coolness and daring under fire.