Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Richard
E.
Duffy
January 20, 1918

–

June 9, 1985

Born:

Walled Lake

, 

Michigan

Home:

Walled Lake

, 

Michigan

Buried: 

San Antonio

, 

Texas

Cemetery:

Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery

During World War II, Richard Duffy became a U.S. Army Air Forces ACE-in-a-DAY, credited with shooting down 5 enemy aircraft in aerial combat. He and two of his comrades, both of whom also shot down 5 enemy aircraft in a single engagement, became the FIRST single-day ACEs of World War II in a massive mission to intercept Luftwaffe Ju-52 transports evacuating German troops from Tunisia to Sicily.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    314th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    324th Fighter Group

    Division:

    9th Air Force

    Action Date:

    April 18, 1943
    Headquarters, 9th Air Force, General Orders No. 49 (June 7, 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 First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Richard E. Duffy (ASN: 0-796108), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-40 Fighter Airplane of the 314th Fighter Squadron, 324th Fighter Group, NINTH Air Force, in aerial operations in the European Theater of Operations, on 18 April 1943. On this date, Lieutenant Duffy shot down five Ju-52 enemy aircraft in aerial combat. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by First Lieutenant Duffy, 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.