Posted by David Twigg, 1SG (Ret) on February 5, 2016:

Frederick Walker Castle Date of birth: October 14, 1908 Date of death: December 24, 1944 Burial location: Henri-Chapelle, Belgium Place of Birth: Philippine Islands, Manila Home of record: Mountain Lakes New Jersey Status: KIA Frederick Castle graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Class of 1930. AWARDS AND CITATIONS Medal of Honor Awarded for actions during the World War II The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor (Posthumously) to Brigadier General (Air Corps) Frederick Walker Castle (ASN: 0-319375), United States Army Air Forces, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action above and beyond the call of duty while serving with the 487th Bombardment Group (H), 4th Bombardment Wing, Eighth Air Force. Brigadier General Castle was air commander and leader of more than 2,000 heavy bombers in a strike against German airfields on 24 December 1944. En route to the target, the failure of one engine forced him to relinquish his place at the head of the formation. In order not to endanger friendly troops on the ground below, he refused to jettison his bombs to gain speed maneuverability. His lagging, unescorted aircraft became the target of numerous enemy fighters which ripped the left wing with cannon shells, set the oxygen system afire, and wounded two members of the crew. Repeated attacks started fires in two engines, leaving the Flying Fortress in imminent danger of exploding. Realizing the hopelessness of the situation, the bail-out order was given. Without regard for his personal safety he gallantly remained alone at the controls to afford all other crewmembers an opportunity to escape. Still another attack exploded gasoline tanks in the right wing, and the bomber plunged earthward, carrying General Castle to his death. His intrepidity and willing sacrifice of his life to save members of the crew were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service. General Orders: War Department, General Orders No. 22 (February 28, 1946) Action Date: December 24, 1944 Service: Army Air Forces Rank: Brigadier General Regiment: 487th Bombardment Group (H), 4th Bombardment Wing Division: 8th Air Force Silver Star Awarded for actions during the World War II (Citation Needed) - SYNOPSIS: Brigadier General (Air Corps) Frederick Walker Castle (ASN: 0-319375), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Silver Star for conspicuous gallantry in action against the enemy while serving with the EIGHTH Air Force in the European Theater of Operations during World War II. General Orders: Headquarters, 8th Air Force, General Orders No. 136 (1943) Service: Army Air Forces Rank: Brigadier General Regiment: 487th Bombardment Group (H), 4th Bombardment Wing Division: 8th Air Force Legion of Merit Awarded for actions during the World War II (Citation Needed) - SYNOPSIS: Brigadier General Frederick Walker Castle (ASN: 0-319375), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States while serving with the EIGHTH Air Force during World War II. Action Date: World War II Service: Army Air Forces Rank: Brigadier General Division: 8th Air Force Distinguished Flying Cross Awarded for actions during the World War II (Citation Needed) - SYNOPSIS: Colonel (Air Corps) Frederick Walker Castle (ASN: 0-319375), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving with the EIGHT Air Force over enemy occupied territory during World War II. Action Date: World War II Service: Army Air Forces Rank: Colonel Division: 8th Air Force Distinguished Flying Cross Awarded for actions during the World War II The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Colonel (Air Corps) Frederick Walker Castle (ASN: 0-319375), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while leading a Heavy Bombardment Division of Flying Fortresses on a mission over Germany, 16 December 1943. Colonel Castle directed the attack from his position in the leading aircraft. In spite of repeated assaults by hostile fighters and extremely adverse weather conditions, he maintained a tightly-knit formation and reached the assigned target on schedule. Though subjected to heavy, accurate anti-aircraft fire, Colonel Castle led his units directly over the objective and wrought great destruction on important enemy installations. The high degree of success attained is attributable to the courage and superb leadership of Colonel Castle. His actions on this occasion reflect highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States. General Orders: Headquarters, 8th Air Force, General Orders No. 59 (February 16, 1944) Action Date: December 16, 1943 Service: Army Air Forces Rank: Colonel Division: 8th Air Force Distinguished Flying Cross Awarded for actions during the World War II (Citation Needed) - SYNOPSIS: Brigadier General Frederick Walker Castle (ASN: 0-319375), 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 with the EIGHT Air Force over enemy occupied territory during World War II. Action Date: World War II Service: Army Air Forces Rank: Brigadier General Division: 8th Air Force Distinguished Flying Cross Awarded for actions during the World War II (Citation Needed) - SYNOPSIS: Brigadier General Frederick Walker Castle (ASN: 0-319375), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving with the EIGHT Air Force over enemy occupied territory during World War II. Action Date: World War II Service: Army Air Forces Rank: Brigadier General Division: 8th Air Force

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