Chant du Départ: John A Jerstad MOH

Friday, June 12, 2026

John A Jerstad MOH

Ya know, sometimes I hate blogger with a passion. Not 10 minutes ago, I finished this post and hit update and the post disappeared. Thanks loads, Google!

Now that I got that off my mind, on with the rerun.

Today's post is back on the topic of Medal of Honor recipients, and we'll discuss Major John L Jerstad's actions on one of the deadliest missions flown in WWII. That would be the raid on Ploesti, Romania code named Operation Tidal Wave in which 53 B-24's were shot down (Crew of 10) and 55 more were damaged.

John A Jerstad Major USAAf

Source

John L. Jerstad enlisted as an aviation cadet in July 1941. After flight training he was commissioned in February 1942. In October 1942 he was transferred to Europe and flew B-24s with the 328th Bomb Squadron as a Captain. In April 1943, he was promoted to Major an became the Wing Commander's Chief Operations Officer.

This tells me something, in 14 months he rose from Lt to Major. Either he was extremely talented or casualty rates were extremely high.

Or Both!

By August 1943, Major Jerstad had completed more than the requisite 25 missions to go home. However, as a group operations planner, he had knowledge of an upcoming mission and asked if he'd be allowed to fly on that one. Which was approved.

That mission was titled "Operation Tidal Wave" which would include 179 B-24s, 18 hours of flying time and 2400 miles round trip to attack the oil refineries in Ploesti Romania.

The attack was executed, 53 aircraft were lost 10 men per crew. 5 crew members were awarded the Medal of Honor on this mission. 3 of them were posthumous.

Source

Major Jerstad was one of them. 3 miles from the target, his B-24 was hit by AAA and caught fire. Ignoring a close field that he could crash land his critically damaged bomber in, he continued to the target and dropped his bombs. With the bomb bay doors open the flames became intense and the bomber crashed killing all on board.

Source

Rest in Peace, Major Jerstad and your crew. You earned it, heroes.

Citation for the Award of the Medal of Honor

John L. Jerstad, U.S. Air Force Photo
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty. On 1 August 1943, he served as pilot of the lead aircraft in his group in a daring low-level attack against enemy oil refineries and installations at Ploesti, Romania. Although he had completed more than his share of missions and was no longer connected with this group, so high was his conception of duty that he volunteered to lead the formation in the correct belief that his participation would contribute materially to success in this attack. Maj. Jerstad led the formation into attack with full realization of the extreme hazards involved and despite withering fire from heavy and light antiaircraft guns. Three miles from the target his airplane was hit, badly damaged, and set on fire. Ignoring the fact that he was flying over a field suitable for a forced landing, he kept on the course. After the bombs of his aircraft were released on the target, the fire in his ship became so intense as to make further progress impossible and he crashed into the target area. By his voluntary acceptance of a mission he knew was extremely hazardous, and his assumption of an intrepid course of action at the risk of life over and above the call of duty, Maj. Jerstad set an example of heroism which will be an inspiration to the U.S. Armed Forces.^[4]