On a November 27, 1944 mission Lieutenant Colonel Blickenstaff destroyed FOUR enemy fighters in a single day, and claimed one more victory the following year to become an ACE. On March 24, 1945, he became an ACE-IN-A-DAY, when he shot down 5 more enemy airplanes in a single engagement, finishing the war as a DOUBLE ACE credited with 10 victories in aerial combat.
Sponsored by:
Wayne
K.
Blickenstaff
June 25, 1920
–
December 23, 2011
Awards Received
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Service Cross
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Silver Star
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps)Batallion:
350th Fighter SquadronRegiment:
353d Fighter GroupDivision:
8th Air ForceAction Date:
World War II
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps) Wayne K. Blickenstaff (ASN: 0-728555), 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 Pilot of a P-51 Fighter Airplane in the 350th Fighter Squadron, 353d Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces in the European Theater of Operations during World War II. The skillful and zealous manner in which he has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, 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 ForcesRank:
Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps)Batallion:
350th Fighter SquadronRegiment:
353d Fighter GroupDivision:
8th Air ForceAction Date:
World War II
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps) Wayne K. Blickenstaff (ASN: 0-728555), 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 Pilot of a P-51 Fighter Airplane in the 350th Fighter Squadron, 353d Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces in the European Theater of Operations during World War II. The skillful and zealous manner in which he has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, 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 ForcesRank:
Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps)Batallion:
350th Fighter SquadronRegiment:
353d Fighter GroupDivision:
8th Air ForceAction Date:
World War II
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps) Wayne K. Blickenstaff (ASN: 0-728555), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as Pilot of a P-51 Fighter Airplane in the 350th Fighter Squadron, 353d Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces in the European Theater of Operations during World War II. The skillful and zealous manner in which he has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, 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 Service Cross
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps)Batallion:
350th Fighter SquadronRegiment:
353d Fighter GroupDivision:
8th Air ForceAction Date:
March 24, 1945
Headquarters, U.S. Army Air Forces in Europe, General Orders No. 134 (October 14, 1945)(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: 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 Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps) Wayne K. Blickenstaff (ASN: 0-728555), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-51 Fighter Airplane in the 350th Fighter Squadron, 353d Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces on 24 March 1945, in the European Theater of Operations. In aerial combat on this date Lieutenant Colonel Blickenstaff destroyed three German FW-190s and two German ME-109s to become and Ace in a day. Lieutenant Colonel Blickenstaff’s unquestionable valor in aerial combat is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 8th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps)Batallion:
350th Fighter SquadronRegiment:
353d Fighter GroupDivision:
8th Air ForceAction Date:
November 27, 1944
Headquarters, 8th Air Force, General Orders No. 66 (May 8, 1945)(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 Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps) Wayne K. Blickenstaff (ASN: 0-728555), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-51 Fighter Airplane in the 350th Fighter Squadron, 353d Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces in the European Theater of Operations, on 27 November 1944. On this date, Colonel Blickenstaff shot down four enemy aircraft in aerial combat. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, 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.