The
President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, March
3, 1863, has awarded in the name of The Congress the Medal of Honor to
Captain
Harl Pease Jr.
UNITED STATES ARMY
*PEASE, HARL, JR. (Air Mission)
Rank and organization: Captain, U.S. Army Air Corps, Heavy Bombardment Squadron.
Place and date: Near Rabaul, New Britain, 6-7 August 1942. Entered service at:
Plymouth, N.H. Birth: Plymouth, N.H. G.O. No.: 59, 4 November 1942. Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in
action with the enemy on 6-7 August 1942. When 1 engine of the bombardment
airplane of which he was pilot failed during a bombing mission over New Guinea,
Capt. Pease was forced to return to a base in Australia. Knowing that all
available airplanes of his group were to participate the next day in an attack
on an enemy-held airdrome near Rabaul, New Britain, although he was not
scheduled to take part in this mission, Capt. Pease selected the most
serviceable airplane at this base and prepared it for combat, knowing that it
had been found and declared unserviceable for combat missions. With the members
of his combat crew, who volunteered to accompany him, he rejoined his squadron
at Port Moresby, New Guinea, at 1 a.m. on 7 August, after having flown almost
continuously since early the preceding morning. With only 3 hours' rest, he took
off with his squadron for the attack. Throughout the long flight to Rabaul, New
Britain, he managed by skillful flying of his unserviceable airplane to maintain
his position in the group. When the formation was intercepted by about 30 enemy
fighter airplanes before reaching the target, Capt. Pease, on the wing which
bore the brunt of the hostile attack, by gallant action and the accurate
shooting by his crew, succeeded in destroying several Zeros before dropping his
bombs on the hostile base as planned, this in spite of continuous enemy attacks.
The fight with the enemy pursuit lasted 25 minutes until the group dived into
cloud cover. After leaving the target, Capt. Pease's aircraft fell behind the
balance of the group due to unknown difficulties as a result of the combat, and
was unable to reach this cover before the enemy pursuit succeeded in igniting 1
of his bomb bay tanks. He was seen to drop the flaming tank. It is believed that
Capt. Pease's airplane and crew were subsequently shot down in flames, as they
did not return to their base. In voluntarily performing this mission Capt. Pease
contributed materially to the success of the group, and displayed high devotion
to duty, valor, and complete contempt for personal danger. His undaunted bravery
has been a great inspiration to the officers and men of his unit.
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