Navy Federal Credit Union

During World War II, Arthur Jeffrey became a U.S. Army Air Forces DOUBLE ACE, credited with shooting down 14 enemy aircraft in aerial combat. After the war he transferred to the new U.S. Air Force, and retired in 1968 as a Colonel.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Captain

    Regiment:

    5th Fighter Command

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    July 29, 1944

    Headquarters, VIII Fighter Command, General Orders No. 87 (October 12, 1945)

    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 Captain Arthur Ferdinand Jeffrey (ASN: 0-659131), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement and heroism while participating in aerial combat on 29 July 1944. Leading a flight of four aircraft on a bomber escort mission near Wilhelmshaven, Germany, Captain Jeffrey observed an ME-163, jet propelled aircraft, in position to attack a crippled bomber. So great was the speed of the enemy, that Captain Jeffrey had no time to call in the bounce. Alone he intercepted the enemy, neutralized its superior speed by his skill and superior airmanship and destroyed it, thereby saving the crippled B-17. The courage, skill and heroism displayed by Captain Jeffrey on this occasion reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps), [then Major]

    Regiment:

    479th Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    December 5, 1944

    Headquarters, 8th Air Force, General Orders No. 48 (March 31, 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 Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps), [then Major] Arthur Francis Jeffrey (ASN: 0-659131), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action while serving as Pilot of a P-51 Mustang Fighter Airplane of the 479th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, while participating in an escort mission over Germany, 5 December 1944. Leading a Section of nine (9) P-51 fighters, Colonel Jeffrey observed a group of approximately forty (40) FW-190’s with a top cover of approximately fifteen (15) ME-109’s positioning for an attack. Heedless of the tremendous odds, he selected the low element as the most immediate threat to the bombers and launched a bold assault. During the ensuing battle the gunsight bulb burned out and two guns in the right wing ceased to function, causing the aircraft to veer off the target with each burst of machine gun fire. Despite this handicap he sent two (2) planes down in flames before the formation dispersed. Descending through a layer of clouds to four-thousand (4,000) feet, he engaged two (2) FW-190’s just as the remaining right wing gun expired. Undaunted, he maneuvered his aircraft with such dexterity that he was successful in destroying one (1) of the enemy and expended the last of his ammunition while scoring strikes on the other. The fact that during this action Colonel Jeffrey, together with his section, destroyed seven (7) enemy planes, probably destroyed one (1) and damaged two (2) others is due largely to his courage, combat skill, and gallant leadership.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Captain

    Regiment:

    5th Fighter Command

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    Headquarters, VIII Fighter Command, General Orders No. 84 (September 15, 1944)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Arthur Ferdinand Jeffrey (ASN: 0-659131), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement and heroism while participating in aerial combat and the destruction of one enemy airplane over enemy occupied Continental Europe during World War II. The skillful and zealous manner in which Captain Jeffrey 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.