The musings & rants of 3 retired military (2 USAF, 1 USN), 1 former WSO, and 1 AF brat. Old AF Sarge, Juvat, Tuna, LUSH, and Beans.
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 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.
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.
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]
Devotion above the call of duty......radio silence proved costly to that low level mission juvat. Thanks for posting this recipient sir, reading more on this mission was brutal.
Suiting up for any European daylight bombing raid required titanium testicles until mid-1944. Ploesti was one of the more difficult. The MoH’s were well deserved. Rest in peace gentlemen! juvat
I read these and sometimes ask myself if, assuming I had the training and skills, I would have done the same....held the course, served the machine gun to the last, charges/slogged into fire to retrieve a squad member, carried that red hot bomb through flames to dump it over the side....and the honest answer is "Probably not."
The tragedy is that the refinery was back in operation in just a couple of months. All those lives lost for little or no return.
Repatriation of remains: https://dpaa-mil.experience.crmforce.mil/Projects/s/wwii/operation-tidal-wave
Like the pilots who flew their unarmed fighters to try to take down Flight 93. https://www.ngaus.org/newsroom/pilot-scrambled-911-suicide-mission-retires
Knowing that they not only might have to sacrifice themselves, but also kill the civilians on that airliner. I bet they thank God every day that they didn't have to find out if they could have done it.
A theoretical question, juvat. Instead of crashing into the airliner, could one of the fighters descended onto it to force it down? Or flipped it the way British fighters flipped V-1s out of control?
My friend's father was a radioman on the very first Ploesti raid. This was in June of 1942. He said there were only a dozen planes. This raid was not successful. It did alert Axis forces to strengthen defenses. Paul J
That mission got incredibly screwed up as soon as the planes started leaving their bases. Problems with planes, problems with forming up, problems with navigation, problems with communications between all the units. Planes supposed to go here went there and so forth,
Yet with all the issues they had, they still went on with it.
The Liberators weren't designed to fly at the altitudes they were at, far lower than they were supposed to. The Liberators' fragile wing probably contributed greatly to the loss of planes and crews.
53 of 179 planes lost, not to mention those which took hits and casualties but were still able to return to friendly fields. And even the unscathed had observed the planes lost during the raid... and had NINE HOURS to think about that on the way home.
Undoubtedly many had seen friends die in previous raids, but they suited up for another mission anyway. Including our hero of the story who had already done more than the 25 required missions, but volunteered for this one.
The "Greatest Generation" is an apt characterization of those men. Not just the folks in the wild blue yonder, but the submarines, Marines, Merchant Mariners and others who did the unthinkable, witnessed the unforgettable, and never forgot, and seldom discussed their experiences.
Freedom is definitely not free. It is too precious to allow idiots to throw it away as a sacrifice to the false religions of socialism and communism. The appalling ignorance about historical events with current generations is killing our country.
I have heard a local vet of the Ploesti raid (Silver Star recipient) discuss the mission. Yup, it was that bad. Every man truly a hero just for participating. JB
JB, Well said! Couldn't agree more. Yeah, I can't imagine what was going through the survivors minds on RTB and probably even moreso when they went to bed that night. Getting back in the saddle for the next mission was probably (certainly) hard also. Heroes all! juvat
Devotion above the call of duty......radio silence proved costly to that low level mission juvat. Thanks for posting this recipient sir, reading more on this mission was brutal.
ReplyDeleteYeah, and there are 3 more names on the list.
Deletejuvat
Tidal Wave was an epic battle; anyone suiting up and getting into an airplane on that - or any other - day is deserving of our respect.
ReplyDeleteBoat Guy
Suiting up for any European daylight bombing raid required titanium testicles until mid-1944. Ploesti was one of the more difficult. The MoH’s were well deserved. Rest in peace gentlemen!
Deletejuvat
I read these and sometimes ask myself if, assuming I had the training and skills, I would have done the same....held the course, served the machine gun to the last, charges/slogged into fire to retrieve a squad member, carried that red hot bomb through flames to dump it over the side....and the honest answer is "Probably not."
ReplyDeleteThe tragedy is that the refinery was back in operation in just a couple of months. All those lives lost for little or no return.
Repatriation of remains: https://dpaa-mil.experience.crmforce.mil/Projects/s/wwii/operation-tidal-wave
I did have similar training and skills. Even so, I had similar concerns. Thankfully, I never had to find out for sure.
Deletejuvat
Like the pilots who flew their unarmed fighters to try to take down Flight 93. https://www.ngaus.org/newsroom/pilot-scrambled-911-suicide-mission-retires
DeleteKnowing that they not only might have to sacrifice themselves, but also kill the civilians on that airliner. I bet they thank God every day that they didn't have to find out if they could have done it.
Joe, Excellent article!!!!!! Lots of heroes that day, May they be resting in the arms of the Lord.
Deletejuvat
A theoretical question, juvat. Instead of crashing into the airliner, could one of the fighters descended onto it to force it down? Or flipped it the way British fighters flipped V-1s out of control?
DeleteMy friend's father was a radioman on the very first Ploesti raid. This was in June of 1942.
ReplyDeleteHe said there were only a dozen planes. This raid was not successful.
It did alert Axis forces to strengthen defenses.
Paul J
Interesting, I did not know that. Nothing like giving the enemy a clue about your capabilities and a chance to up their defenses.
Deletejuvat
Wow, Juvat. I have read tangentially about the raid on Ploesti; apparently I need to read more. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteYou’re more than welcome, THBB. I’m learning a lot also.
Deletejuvat
That mission was incredible.
ReplyDeleteYeah unfortunately probably impossible.
DeleteRest in Peace Heroes!
juvat
That mission got incredibly screwed up as soon as the planes started leaving their bases. Problems with planes, problems with forming up, problems with navigation, problems with communications between all the units. Planes supposed to go here went there and so forth,
DeleteYet with all the issues they had, they still went on with it.
The Liberators weren't designed to fly at the altitudes they were at, far lower than they were supposed to. The Liberators' fragile wing probably contributed greatly to the loss of planes and crews.
53 of 179 planes lost, not to mention those which took hits and casualties but were still able to return to friendly fields. And even the unscathed had observed the planes lost during the raid... and had NINE HOURS to think about that on the way home.
ReplyDeleteUndoubtedly many had seen friends die in previous raids, but they suited up for another mission anyway. Including our hero of the story who had already done more than the 25 required missions, but volunteered for this one.
The "Greatest Generation" is an apt characterization of those men. Not just the folks in the wild blue yonder, but the submarines, Marines, Merchant Mariners and others who did the unthinkable, witnessed the unforgettable, and never forgot, and seldom discussed their experiences.
Freedom is definitely not free. It is too precious to allow idiots to throw it away as a sacrifice to the false religions of socialism and communism. The appalling ignorance about historical events with current generations is killing our country.
I have heard a local vet of the Ploesti raid (Silver Star recipient) discuss the mission. Yup, it was that bad. Every man truly a hero just for participating.
JB
JB, Well said! Couldn't agree more. Yeah, I can't imagine what was going through the survivors minds on RTB and probably even moreso when they went to bed that night. Getting back in the saddle for the next mission was probably (certainly) hard also.
DeleteHeroes all!
juvat