Ok, a bit sorry. I got a bit wrapped up in things of the here and now and not WWII history. So...This is a bit short.
Talk about fast promotion. Took me 20 years to go from 2Lt to LtCol. Look at how it went in WWII.
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| Pinning on BG rank |
On Christmas Ever 1944, he was co-piloting the Lead Bomber.
Unfortunately...
In addition to the Medal of honor, his other decorations include the Distinguished Service Cross, Legion of Merit, four Distinguished Flying Crosses, four Air Medals and the Purple Heart.
Medal of Honor Citation
CITATION:
“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 and 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.”
/s/ HARRY S. TRUMAN
Sources
https://www.thisdayinaviation.com/24-december-1944/
https://www.cmohs.org/recipients/frederick-w-castle
https://www.uswarmemorials.org/html/people_details.php?PeopleID=27166 good quote
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frederick_Walker_Castle
https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Biographies/Display/Article/108537/brigadier-general-frederick-w-castle/
https://www.thisdayinaviation.com/24-december-1944/
His MOH award is indeed impressive. However, the side dishes of DSC, LOM, DFCs mark him as a true warrior. Probably the reason he went from Captain to Brigadier General so quickly.
ReplyDeleteHowever, it is better when there are no circumstances which facilitate such rapid advancement, and it takes forever.
JB
Agreed about the Medals. One of the things I learned in the Army’s SAMS (School for Advanced Military Studies) was the transition between peacetime and war. Peacetime officers, and Generals especially, generally take a long time to spin up to the circumstances. Hence the “Warriors” tended to rise fast. But like many in war, they didn’t have a good ratio of survival. Fortunately, in WWII we had a lot of them. Compare that to Vietnam and its results.
Deletejuvat
Juvat, am I wrong in reading that as a Brigadier General he led an air raid? Is that unusual?
ReplyDeleteTHBB,
DeleteI don't know. But, who's going to tell a General No!. Not I.
juvat