Navy Federal Credit Union

All seven members of Pilot Leonard Nicholson’s crew were awarded Silver Stars for their January 7, 1943, mission over Lae. Five crewmen survived the ditching of their bomber, and four swam to shore. Jack Moseley drowned when the bomber sank in the sea.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Sergeant

    Batallion:

    33d Bombardment Squadron

    Regiment:

    22d Bombardment Group (M)

    Division:

    5th Air Force

    Action Date:

    January 7, 1943

    Headquarters, 5th Air Force, General Orders No. 74 (April 25, 1943)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Sergeant Jack C. Moseley (ASN: 20400992), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Bombardier of a B-26 Marauder Bomber of the 33d Bombardment Squadron, 22d Bombardment Group (Medium), FIFTH Air Force, in aerial operations in the Southwest Pacific Theater of Operations, on 9 January 1943. Sergeant Moseley’s bomber took off on a bombing mission against a Japanese Convoy off Lae, Morobe Province, Papua New Guinea. They were attacked near the target by Japanese Zeros, and over the target they were hit by anti-aircraft fire and severely damaged, forcing the pilot to ditch in Hercules Bay about 11 miles off shore. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Sergeant Moseley, 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.