Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Karl
Truesdell
Jr.
1908-05-14

–

1978-08-22

Born:

Plattsburg Barracks

, 

New York

Home:

Plattsburg

, 

New York

Buried: 

Arlington

, 

Virginia

Cemetery:

Arlington National Cemetery

Karl Truesdell graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Class of 1933. He retired in 1963 as a U.S. Air Force Major General.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Colonel (Air Corps)

    Regiment:

    95th Bombardment Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Colonel (Air Corps) Karl Truesdell, Jr. (ASN: 0-19258), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as Commanding Officer, 95th Bombardment Group, EIGHTH Air Force, during World War II. 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.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Colonel (Air Corps)

    Regiment:

    95th Bombardment Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Colonel (Air Corps) Karl Truesdell, Jr. (ASN: 0-19258), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as Commanding Officer, 95th Bombardment Group, EIGHTH Air Force, during World War II. 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.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Colonel (Air Corps)

    Regiment:

    95th Bombardment Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    1944 – 1945
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Colonel (Air Corps) Karl Truesdell, Jr. (ASN: 0-19258), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commanding Officer, 95th Bombardment Group, EIGHTH Air Force, from 1944 to 1945. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Truesdell and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Colonel (Air Corps)

    Regiment:

    95th Bombardment Group (H)

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    September 18 – 22, 1944
    Headquarters, 8th Air Force, General Orders No. 510 (October 10, 1944)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Colonel (Air Corps) Karl Truesdell, Jr. (ASN: 0-19258), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action while serving as Command Pilot of a B-17 Flying Fortress Bomber and as Commanding Officer of the 95th Bombardment Group (Heavy), EIGHTH Air Force, while leading a formation of heavy bombers on a shuttle mission during the period from 18 September to 22 September 1944. On the first leg of the operation, Colonel Truesdell, as Task Force Commander, maneuvered his units through strong enemy opposition to accomplish his assignment, and continued on, landing at a friendly base. The following day, he led the bombers against a heavily defended installation in enemy-occupied territory. Nearing the target, the formation was subjected to intense ground fire, Colonel Truesdell’s plane sustained four hits. With one engine knocked out, another engine disabled and the right wing of the plane in flames, he resolutely maintained his position in the formation and led his units over the assigned target. After successfully bombing the target, Colonel Truesdell relinquished the lead position and in his capacity as Co-Pilot, assisted the pilot in flying the crippled aircraft to a friendly base. On 22 September 1944, he led the formation back to bases in England. Throughout the entire operation, Colonel Truesdell’s personal gallantry, leadership and devotion to duty were an inspiration to all serving under him.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Colonel (Air Corps)

    Regiment:

    95th Bombardment Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Colonel (Air Corps) Karl Truesdell, Jr. (ASN: 0-19258), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as Commanding Officer, 95th Bombardment Group, EIGHTH Air Force, during World War II. 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.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Colonel (Air Corps)

    Regiment:

    95th Bombardment Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Colonel (Air Corps) Karl Truesdell, Jr. (ASN: 0-19258), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as Commanding Officer, 95th Bombardment Group, EIGHTH Air Force, during World War II. 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.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Colonel (Air Corps)

    Regiment:

    95th Bombardment Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    1944 – 1945
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Colonel (Air Corps) Karl Truesdell, Jr. (ASN: 0-19258), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commanding Officer, 95th Bombardment Group, EIGHTH Air Force, from 1944 to 1945. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Truesdell and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.

  • Air Force Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Major General

    Action Date:

    1960 – 1962
    Department of the Air Force, General Orders No. G-86 (1963)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal (Army Design) to Major General Karl Truesdell, Jr. (ASN: 0-19258), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility as Commander of the TWELFTH Air Force, Waco, Texas, from 1960 to 1962. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Major General Truesdell culminate a long and distinguished career in the service of his country and his dedicated contributions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.