The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Brigadier General Edwin William Rawlings (ASN: 0-18005), United States Army Air Forces, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility as Head of the Aircraft Scheduling Unit, Wright-Patterson Field, which was responsible for scheduling the material and critical components needed to maintain wartime production scheduled for the entire aircraft industry with subsequent additional duty as Chief of the Readjustment Division of the Air Technical Service Command during the period from 7 October 1943 to 1 July 1946. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Rawlings reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Soldier’s Medal
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Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Soldier’s Medal
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Second Lieutenant (Air Corps) Edwin William Rawlings (ASN: 0-18005), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Soldier’s Medal for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy in rescuing his pilot who was lying injured underneath a blazing B-17 that caught fire on landing at Wright-Patterson in 1954.
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Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
Department of the Air Force, General Orders No. 7 (1959)(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 General Edwin William Rawlings (ASN: 0-18005), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Rawlings culminate a long and distinguished career in the service of his and reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Army Air CorpsRank:
Second Lieutenant (Air Corps)Action Date:
May 14, 1930
War Department, General Orders No. 2 (1931)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 Second Lieutenant (Air Corps) Edwin William Rawlings (ASN: 0-18005), U.S. Army Air Corps (Reserve), for heroism while participating in an aerial flight from Luke Field, Territory of Hawaii, to Hilo, Island of Hawaii, on 14 May 1930. Lieutenant Rawlings was pilot of a LOENING amphibian plane, flying number three positioning the flight of three amphibians which were part of a group flight of 16 planes engaged in a tactical training flight. At about 11:07 a.m. one of the bombing planes fell out of control at an altitude of about 8,000 feet, and the crew were forced to take to their parachutes, landing in the rough sea. At the time of the accident and throughout the day a very strong wind was blowing, whipping up the waves to a dangerous height. With disregard for his own personal safety Lieutenant Rawlings landed his plane in close proximity to the men in the water in an attempt to effect their rescue, but owning to the high wind and waves, and a missing motor, he was unable to maneuver his plane after landing. However, by his prompt action the crew of a Navy flying boat was able to see the men in the water and effect their rescue. Lieutenant Rawlings and his mechanic were not rescued from their plane until about 7 p.m. that day.