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Navy Federal Credit Union

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 First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Ennis Clement Whitehead, U.S. Army Air Corps, for extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight. Lieutenant Whitehead, as one of the pilots of the airplane NEW YORK during the Pan American flight, from 21 December 1926, to 2 May 1927, displayed initiative, resourcefulness, and a high degree of skill under the many trying conditions throughout the flight. His tireless energy, sound judgment, and personal courage contributed materially to the successful completion of this mission of good will. In the efficient performance of his arduous duties he aided in the accomplishment of an exploit which brought great credit to himself and the Army of the United States.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Brigadier General

    Regiment:

    V Bomber Command

    Division:

    5th Air Force

    Action Date:

    July 7, 1943
    Headquarters, 5th Air Force, General Orders No. 176 (August 12, 1943)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Brigadier General Ennis Clement Whitehead (ASN: 0-10572/A), United States Army Air Forces, for personal gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Commanding General, V Bomber Command, FIFTH Air Force, in action over Mubo, Territory of New Guinea, on July 7, 1943. In the course of the Allied Land Force campaign for Salamaua, Major General Whitehead received a request to bombard key positions at Mubo. In response to this request, he conceived, planned and participated in the heaviest bombardment attack which has ever been made by the FIFTH Air Force. Major General Whitehead arrived over these targets at 8:50 o’clock in the morning of the attack in a B-17 airplane and remained in the area despite heavy antiaircraft fire until the bombardment attack was completed at 10:13 o’clock. Involved in this attack were B-25 Mitchell and B-24 Liberator airplanes, which dropped a total weight of 211,800 pounds of air-burst and delay fuse bombs on three targets. Without knowing that Major General Whitehead had participated in this attack, the Commander of the Allied Land Forces in the Mubo area radioed, “Your bombardment was faultless.” Later information from the Allied Land Forces revealed that Allied troops, following the bombardment, had captured the three target positions with no casualties. On occupation of these objectives, Allied troops found the area littered with mangled corpses of Japanese Infantry troops destroyed by our bombing attack. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Brigadier General Whitehead, 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.

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Brigadier General

    Regiment:

    V Bomber Command

    Division:

    5th Air Force

    Action Date:

    July 23, 1942 – January 8, 1943
    Headquarters, South West Pacific Area, General Orders No. 5 (January 11, 1943)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Brigadier General Ennis Clement Whitehead (ASN: 0-10572/A), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy, in action against enemy forces in New Guinea, during the Papuan Campaign, 23 July 1942, to 8 January 1943. As Commanding General, V Bomber Command, FIFTH Air Force, General Whitehead displayed extraordinary courage, marked efficiency and precise execution of operations during the Papuan Campaign. His gallant leadership, intrepid actions, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the Fifth Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.

  • Army Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Lieutenant General

    Action Date:

    June 1944 – December 1945
    War Department, General Orders No. 25 (March 16, 1946)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Lieutenant General Ennis Clement Whitehead (ASN: 0-10572/A), 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 Commanding General of the FIFTH Air Force in the Pacific Theater of Operations from June 1944 to December 1945. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Lieutenant General Whitehead 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:

    Lieutenant General
    Department of the Air Force, General Orders No. 40 (July 24, 1951)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Service Medal (Air Force) to Lieutenant General Ennis Clement Whitehead (ASN: 0-10572/A), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Lieutenant General Whitehead culminate a long and distinguished career in the service of his and reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Army Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Major General [then Brigadier General]

    Action Date:

    September 5, 1942 – October 1, 1943
    War Department, General Orders No. 10 (January 29, 1944)

    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 Major General [then Brigadier General] Ennis Clement Whitehead (ASN: 0-10572/A), United States Army Air Forces, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility in the Southwest Pacific Area from 5 September 1942 to 1 October 1943. As Deputy Commander, General Whitehead ably assisted his commander in the revitalization and building up of the FIFTH Air Force, in the crucial operations which resulted in the defeat of the Japanese attempt to capture Port Moresby, and in the expulsion of the enemy from the territory of Papua. In July 1943 he was assigned the execution of the complex air operations preliminary to and accompanying the capture of Salarnaua and Lae. With brilliant judgment and inexhaustible energy, General Whitehead coordinated these operations so that the enemy air forces threatening our left flank were crushed, those on our right flank were neutralized, and the attack of allied amphibious and airborne forces was effectively protected and supported. Not once did his forces relinquish control of the air over this combat area. General Whitehead’s masterful generalship was a factor of the highest importance in Allied successes during this period. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Whitehead and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.