World War II Honoree

Fred Thomas Crimmins, Jr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Fort Worth, Texas

Honored By

Danny Jones

SERVED AS A LIEUTENANT COLONEL. Awarded the Army Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy in aerial combat while serving with the 19th Bombardment Group (H), FAR EAST Air Force, in action against enemy forces on 8 December 1941, at Clark Field in the Philippine Islands. Immediately following the high altitude bombardment of Clark Field, Pampanga, Philippine Islands, by 75 bombers at noon on 8 December 1941, while the field and hangar line was under constant machine gun strafing by low-flying enemy aircraft, he rushed into the burning hangar which contained his assigned airplane and started the engines to taxi it to a place of safety. However, when in the open, intense and accurate dive-bomber machine gun fire wounded him in the head and arms, and destroyed the plane. The example set in this instance of calmness and service under such extreme hazards and odds did much to steady the personnel during the attack, which lasted one hour and a half. The personal courage and zealous devotion to duty he displayed on this occasion have upheld the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.