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Hal
C.
Winfrey

Home:

Harlan

, 

Kentucky

Hal Winfrey was Pilot of a Flying Fortress Bomber that earned a total of eleven Silver Stars and two Distinguished Service Crosses. On June 26, 1943, Winfrey was recovering from wounds in an earlier action and unable to fly, and William Sarsfield took the controls for what proved to be the crew’s final mission. All were missing in action and only Winfrey, who could not fly that mission, survived the war. The crews remains were recovered in 1982 and identified in 2001, some buried in a group burial at Arlington National Cemetery, and others in their home town.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Air Corps)

    Division:

    5th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II
    Headquarters, 5th Air Force, General Orders No. 92 (May 15, 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) Hal C. Winfrey (ASN: 0-659783), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a B-17 Flying Fortress Bomber in the 65th Bombardment Squadron, 43d Bombardment Group (Heavy), FIFTH Air Force, in aerial operations in the Southwest Pacific Theater of Operations, in 1943. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by First Lieutenant Winfrey, 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.