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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 Distinguished Service Cross to Captain (Air Corps) William Thomas Whisner, Jr. (ASN: 0-798190/16324A), 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 487th Fighter Squadron, 352d Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, and as flight leader in a squadron of twelve fighter aircraft taking off on a patrol, 1 January 1945. On this date, as his plane left the ground, Captain Whisner observed 30 hostile fighters preparing to strafe the field. Disregarding the enemy’s great superiority in numbers and position, and without waiting to form up with his flight, Captain Whisner attacked alone. In the engagements that followed his aircraft was hit and badly damaged, but determined to defend the field he pressed his attack and destroyed four enemy aircraft. Only after the enemy had been completely dispersed did Captain Whisner halt his pursuit. The extraordinary heroism and determination to destroy the enemy displayed by Captain Whisner on this occasion reflect highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Major

    Batallion:

    25th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron

    Regiment:

    4th Fighter-Interceptor Group

    Division:

    5th Air Force

    Action Date:

    Korean War

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major William Thomas Whisner, Jr. (AFSN: 0-16324A/0-798190), United States Air Force, was awarded a Silver Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Sixth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a Fighter Pilot, 25th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 5th Fighter-Interceptor Wing, FIFTH Air Force, in Korea.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Major

    Batallion:

    25th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron

    Regiment:

    4th Fighter-Interceptor Group

    Division:

    5th Air Force

    Action Date:

    Korean War

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major William Thomas Whisner, Jr. (AFSN: 0-16324A/0-798190), United States Air Force, was awarded a Fourth Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fifth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a Fighter Pilot, 25th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 5th Fighter-Interceptor Wing, FIFTH Air Force, in Korea.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    487th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    352d Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    June 17, 1944

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant (Air Corps) William Thomas Whisner, Jr. (AFSN: 0-16324A/0-798190), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement and heroism while participating in aerial flight as a Pilot in the 487th Fighter Squadron, 352d Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in the destruction of two enemy airplanes over enemy occupied Continental Europe on 17 June 1944. The skillful and zealous manner in which Lieutenant Whisner 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 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:

    First Lieutenant (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    487th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    352d Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    February 2, 1944
    Headquarters, 8th Fighter Command, General Orders No. 12 (April 7, 1944)

    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) William Thomas Whisner, Jr. (AFSN: 0-16324A/0-798190), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Pilot in the 487th Fighter Squadron, 352d Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in accomplishing fifty fighter combat missions, or the equivalent thereof, over enemy occupied Continental Europe. The skillful and zealous manner in which this officer has sought out the enemy and engaged him in aerial combat, 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 Air Force

    Rank:

    Major

    Batallion:

    25th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron

    Regiment:

    4th Fighter-Interceptor Group

    Division:

    5th Air Force

    Action Date:

    January 6, 1952

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major William Thomas Whisner, Jr. (AFSN: 0-16324A/0-798190), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a Fighter Pilot, 25th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 5th Fighter-Interceptor Wing, FIFTH Air Force, on 6 January 1952. While flying as flight leader, in a flight of four F-86 type aircraft, Major Whisner and his element spotted two MiG’s heading south near the Yalu River. Diving on the MiG’s the two F-86’s closed to within five thousand feet of them. The MiG’s split and Major Whisner followed the one to the left. Major Whisner pressed his attack, closing to four hundred feet. He fired several short bursts and the MiG began to burn and tumble. The MiG hit the ground and exploded. By his aggressiveness and skill, Major Whisner has brought great credit to himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Captain (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    487th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    352d Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    November 21, 1944
    Headquarters, U.S. Strategic Forces in Europe, General Orders No. 9 (January 24, 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 Captain (Air Corps) William Thomas Whisner, Jr. (AFSN: 0-16324A/0-798190), 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 487th Fighter Squadron, 352d Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces on 21 November 1944, during an air mission in the European Theater of Operations. On that date, Captain Whisner led a flight of P-51s on an escort mission to Merseburg, Germany. As the bombers left their target, a large formation of enemy fighters struck. In a linked series of attacks, Whisner shot down four FW-190s in the cover flight and probably got another. With no more than two -190s left in the cover flight he had attacked, Whisner turned his attention to the main enemy formation, exploding an ME-190 that had not dropped its belly tank. Evading three -190s on his tail, he shot down another that was closing on one of his pilots. Whisner was credited with five FW-190s and two probables that day. His score later was revised by the Air Force Historical Research Center to six destroyed, making that day one of the best for any United States Army Air Forces pilot in the skies over Europe. Captain Whisner’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.

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Major

    Batallion:

    25th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron

    Regiment:

    4th Fighter-Interceptor Group

    Division:

    5th Air Force

    Action Date:

    February 23, 1952
    General Headquarters Far East Command: General Orders No. 94 (April 11, 1952)

    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 Cross (Air Force) to Major William Thomas Whisner, Jr. (AFSN: 0-16324A/0-798190), United States Air Force, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as a Pilot of an F-86 Sabrejet Fighter of the 25th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 4th Fighter-Interceptor Group, FIFTH Air Force, in action against enemy forces in the Republic of Korea on 23 February 1952. On that date Major Whisner destroyed an enemy MiG-15 aircraft attacking an F-86 piloted by a member of his own group. Major Whisner flew to the immediate aid of the pilot in the face of the enemy’s great numerical superiority. With an expertly executed maneuver, he attacked the MiG-15 which was pressing full attack on the friendly aircraft and forced the enemy to break away. As Major Whisner bore in to deter the enemy action, another MiG-15 swept down on his tail and began lobbing shells at his aircraft. In spite of the imminent danger of losing his own life, Major Whisner continued to force the first MiG-15 to break away, and, in the face of overwhelming odds, destroyed the enemy aircraft. The downed MiG-15 raised Major Whisner’s record of enemy aircraft destruction to five and one-half and established him as the seventh jet ace of the Korean campaign. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Major Whisner, 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 Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    487th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    352d Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    1944

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: First Lieutenant (Air Corps) William Thomas Whisner, Jr. (AFSN: 0-16324A/0-798190), 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 as a Pilot in the 487th Fighter Squadron, 352d Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in the European Theater of Operations during World War II.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    487th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    352d Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    May 24, 1944
    Headquarters, 8th Air Force, General Orders No. 470 (July 27, 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 First Lieutenant (Air Corps) William Thomas Whisner, Jr. (ASN: 0-798190/16324A), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy as a Pilot of a P-51 Mustang Fighter Airplane of the 487th Fighter Squadron, 352d Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, on 24 May 1955. On that date, Lieutenant Whisner, with his flight, made a fighter sweep against important military targets deep in Germany. During one such attack against a heavily defended railway junction, his aircraft was seriously damaged. He pressed his attack so close that oil from an exploding locomotive sprayed over the canopy of his plane. Separated from his unit, Lieutenant Whisner continued to make daring strafing attacks in the face of intense enemy fire. His determination to wreak havoc upon the enemy is borne out by the fact that he destroyed the amazing total of ten locomotives, this despite the damaged condition of his aircraft. This outstanding record attests to Lieutenant Whisner’s gallantry, indomitable fighting spirit and skill as a pilot.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Major

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major William Thomas Whisner, Jr. (AFSN: 0-16324A/0-798190), United States Air Force, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in addition to a previously awarded Silver Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Seventh Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight.