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Frankly, I think he looks like a badass! |
Ok, Folks, I'm back with another recipient of Medal of Honor in the US Army Air Service what would go through a few name changes and eventually become the USAF. He would be one of the first to receive the Medal although posthumously. I've gotta confess, I had never heard of this recipient until I started this series of posts. He is Harold Goetler and his story was worth the research.
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DeHaviland DH-4 Source |
Upon arrival in Europe, he was assigned to the 50th Aero Squadron flying the DeHaviland DH-4.
According to the National Museum of the USAF:
"Goettler's first mission was on Sept. 12, 1918, the first day of the Allied St. Mihiel Offensive. His observer was Lt. Erwin R. Bleckley. On Oct. 6, Goettler and Bleckley were ordered to search for the so-called "Lost Battalion" of American units surrounded by German forces in the Argonne Forest. Several aircraft could not find them because the ground troops' commander feared signaling the fliers would reveal his units' position to the enemy. Goettler and Bleckley saw them, however, and dropped supplies despite heavy ground fire. On their second supply trip, as Goettler flew the airplane very low to drop supplies more accurately, he was killed by German rifle and machine gun fire. The plane crashed in Allied territory and observer Bleckley died shortly afterward. "
Wow, 24 days. War is certainly hell! I think this is an excellent example of that saying.
His citation for the Medal of Honor reads as follows:
First Lt. Harold E. Goettler, with his observer, 2d Lt. Erwin R. Bleckley, 130th Field Artillery, left the airdrome late in the afternoon on their second trip to drop supplies to a battalion of the 77th Division which had been cut off by the enemy in the Argonne Forest. Having been subjected on the first trip to violent fire from the enemy, they attempted on the second trip to come still lower in order to get the packages even more precisely on the designated spot. In the course of his mission the plane was brought down by enemy rifle and machine-gun fire from the ground, resulting in the instant death of 1st Lt. Goettler. In attempting and performing this mission 1st Lt. Goettler showed the highest possible contempt of personal danger, devotion to duty, courage, and valor.
Rest in Peace, Heroes!
Peace out, y'all!
Going back for a second supply drop, knowing the kind of opposition there, flying lower and in an airplane with plywood construction.....dedication and courage shown by that twenty-eight year man.
ReplyDeleteClanked when he walked indeed!
Deletejuvat
And somehow that tiny plane still got airborne! - Tuna
DeleteTuna, good point, ;-)
Deletejuvat
Thanks, Juvat. These stories need to be remembered.
ReplyDeleteAmen, and my intent at least for now is to tell the stories of the folks no one has heard about. Everyone knows Billy Mitchell, pretty sure few know Harold Goettler including me until now. As I've said before, he clanked when he walked.
Deletejuvat
It's worth noting that his observer, 2d Lt. Erwin R. Bleckley, was also awarded a posthumous Medal of Honor.
ReplyDeleteThey're both worth remembering.
Yep, On my list, just haven't gotten to him yet!.
Deletejuvat
The USAF MOH citations were a mandatory read if I knew I was going to be tested on AF History.
ReplyDeleteWell, I didn’t have that requirement, but am working my way through them.
Deletejuvat
An excellent account of the Lost Battalion is, of course, "The Lost Battalion" starring Ricky Schroeder as Major Whittlesey. The movie covers everything, from the feckless French to being shelled by their own men to Cher Amie (a pigeon, a heroic pigeon) and the two aviators you mentioned.
ReplyDeleteHorrible action. But out of horrors comes heroics.