Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
John
Gilpen
Bright
POW (WWII)
September 23, 1918

–

July 22, 1973

Born:

Reading

, 

Pennsylvania

Home:

Reading

, 

Pennsylvania

Ensign John Bright left Naval aviation in 1941 to join the AVG “Flying Tigers” in China, where he was credited with shooting down 3 enemy aircraft. When the AVG was disbanded in 1942, he accepted a commission as a Major in the Army Air Service and shot down two more aircraft in the China-Burma-India Theater of Operations to become a U.S. Army Air Forces ACE. In 1943 he flew combat in North Africa, netting his sixth aerial victory on May 9, 1943. Three months later he bailed out of his damaged airplane north of Rome and was captured and held as a Prisoner of War, until his return to U.S. Military Control after Italy surrendered in November 1943. In all, during his service in World War II, John Bright held the distinction of being the FIRST American ACE to shoot down Japanese, German and Italian aircraft in four different theaters of operation.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    37th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    14th Fighter Group

    Division:

    15th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps) John Gilpen Bright (ASN: 0-889017), 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 37th Fighter Squadron, 14th Fighter Group, FIFTEENTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the Mediterranean Theater of Action 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:

    37th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    14th Fighter Group

    Division:

    15th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II
    Headquarters, 15th Air Force, General Orders No. 6 (November 13, 1943)

    (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 Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps) John Gilpen Bright (ASN: 0-889017), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as a Fighter Pilot of the 37th Fighter Squadron, 14th Fighter Group, FIFTEENTH Air Force, in aerial operations in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations during World War II. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, 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.

  • Prisoner of War Medal

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    37th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    14th Fighter Group

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (Italy)

    Action Date:

    August 30, 1944 – November 1944

    Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps) John Gilpen Bright (ASN: 0-889017), United States Army Air Forces, was captured after he bailed out of his damaged fighter airplane north of Rome on 30 August 1944, and was held as a Prisoner of War until his return to U.S. Military Control when Italy surrendered in November 1944.