Congressional Medal of Honor Society

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World War II - U.S. Army Air Corps

Forrest Lee "woody" Vosler

Details
  • Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Conflict/Era: World War II
  • Unit/Command:
    358th Bombardment Squadron, 303d Bombardment Group,
    8th Air Force
  • Military Service Branch: U.S. Army Air Corps
  • Medal of Honor Action Date: December 20, 1943
  • Medal of Honor Action Place: over Bremen, Germany
Citation

For conspicuous gallantry in action against the enemy above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a radio operator-air gunner on a heavy bombardment aircraft in a mission over Bremen, Germany, 20 December 1943. After bombing the target, the aircraft in which TSgt. Vosler was serving was severely damaged by antiaircraft fire, forced out of formation, and immediately subjected to repeated vicious attacks by enemy fighters. Early in the engagement a 20-mm cannon shell exploded in the radio compartment, painfully wounding T/Sgt. Vosler in the legs and thighs. At about the same time a direct hit on the tail of the ship seriously wounded the tail gunner and rendered the tail guns inoperative. Realizing the great need for firepower in protecting the vulnerable tail of the ship, T/Sgt. Vosler, with grim determination, kept up a steady stream of deadly fire. Shortly thereafter another 20-mm enemy shell exploded, wounding T/Sgt. Vosler in the chest and about the face. Pieces of metal lodged in both eyes, impairing his vision to such extent that he could only distinguish blurred shapes. Displaying remarkable tenacity and courage, he kept firing his guns and declined to take first-aid treatment. The radio equipment had been rendered inoperative during the battle, and when the pilot announced that he would have to ditch, although unable to see and working entirely by touch, T/Sgt. Vosler finally got the set operating and sent out distress signals despite several lapses into unconsciousness. When the ship ditched, T/Sgt. Vosler managed to get out on the wing by himself and hold the wounded tail gunner from slipping off until the other crewmembers could help him into the dinghy. T/Sgt. Vosler's actions on this occasion were an inspiration to all serving with him. The extraordinary courage, coolness, and skill he displayed in the face of great odds, when handicapped by injuries that would have incapacitated the average crewmember, were outstanding.

Medal of Honor Recipient Forrest Lee "woody" Vosler
Medal of Honor Recipient Forrest Lee "woody" Vosler
Additional Details
  • Accredited to: Rochester, Monroe County, New York
  • Awarded Posthumously: No
  • Presentation Date & Details: August 30, 1944

    The White House (Oval Office), presented by Pres. Franklin D. Roosevelt

  • Born: July 29, 1923, Lyndonville, Orleans County, NY, United States
  • Died: February 17, 1992, Titusville, FL, United States
  • Buried: Arlington National Cemetery (MH) (60-4924), Arlington, VA, United States
  • Location of Medal: Gunter Annex, Maxwell Air Force Base, Maxwell AFB, AL ; Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum, Pooler, GA
 

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