Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1941-12-20
Kelly, Awarded D. S. c. With II Others, Died
After Saving Plane Crew Of 6, Army Reveals

vital night mission December 10. his
citation showed, in thick weather,
during a complete ground blackout
and in the face of severe ground
fire from strongly held positions.
1t. Mahoney secured information
which was needed for subsequent
successful bombing attack.
Again on the following day, re-
turning from a bombing mission
near Legaspi in which he destroyed
an enemy flying boat and strafed
an enemy-held radio station. this
pilot displayed exceptional courage,
performing the highly dangerous
feat of landing his airplane with
bombs hanging from an improperly
functioning bomb release in prefer
ence TO bailing out"
Sergt. Holub went through a heavy
aerial bombardment at an undis-
closed airdrome December 8 and
Immediately ran to his airplane
and returned the machine gun fire
of the subsequent attacking plane
from the top turret guns Of his air.
plane.
Braved Strafing Fire.
after exhausting the supply of
ammunition, he ran through heavy
strafing fire TO a nearby damaged
plane from which he removed as
many ammunition cans as he could
carry and returned to his guns,
where he continued to fire on at
lacking aircraft. BY his display of
personal heroism and devotion TO
duty, Sergt Holub not only defended
his aircraft from serious damage
but served as vivid and inspiring
example to the personnel Of his
unit"
Pvt. McElroy also was in the De-
cember bombing
Instead of taking shelter, Nc
Elroy ran to his machine gun posi-
ton on his grounded airplane and
in the face of devastating bomber
and aerial machine gun attack
which followed courageously and
successfully defended his airplane
In the line of his fire, one hostile
plane crashed in flames and two
others Withdrew from the attack
emitting dense trails of smoke" his
citation read.
OF 1t. Dale's export December 10
near Vigan, the citation said:
Into a concentration of anti-air-
craft fire from the ground and from
approximately 20 hostile naval YES
sells, including two heavy cruisers
and several destroyers and SUBJ
marines and other Army enemy
craft. Dale led his flight in repeated
attacks entirely disrupting a strong
effort by the japanese forces. His
exhibition of courage, leadership AND
unf1inching devotion to duty in tine
face of great odds resulted in 81
lencing three anti-aircraft guns and
destroying numerous barges with 9
consequent high toll of invaders ano
providing an inspiration to the pi-
lots and other personnel"
Helped Wounded Men.
Pvt. Endres during the December
bombing at his own initiative ran
to a nearby abandoned truck anc
despite a rain of aerial machine
gun fire and bursting bombs pro-
ceeded about the air field, collecting
wounded who were lying in the
open.
Filling the vehicle with casual
ties, he proceeded to the station hos
pital, unloaded the wounded and re-
turned to the field. With complete
disregard Of his own safety. Endres
made seven such round trips each
with a cargo of casualties, despite
continual bombing and strafing. His
heroic action under tremendous
odds saved many wounded from fur
Their mutilation or death"
1t. Keator on December was
one of three officers in a pursuit
flight. the citation showed.
When attacked by nine Japanese
planes, he attacked the three near.
est enemy planes and quickl!
brought down one of the first hos.
tile planes in air combat in tn,
Philippines.
He then Immediately Joined tn,
general combat in which he and hi
companions downed two more enem,
planes. Later while returning to hi
field alone he encounted a singh
enemy fighter. Disregarding tn,
fact his ammunition and gasolin,
were nearly exhausted, he pursued
the enemy plane and engaged i
until it plunged in flames.
Stimulus to Others.
His example of unhesitating &C
ton against heavy odds served as
tremendous stimulus to others labor
ing under the stress of the surpris
hostile attack on the first day of tn
war"
1t. Giles on December 10 wa
gaining altitude for patrol over An
other field, accompanied by on
other pilot. when he received radi
report that his own field was bein
strafed.
Although he realized he wa
greatly outnumbered and with com
plete disregard for the great per
sonal risk involved this pilot (Gies
dove through the overcast int
the midst of more than 20 hostil
craft and downed one enemy all
plane" the citation said.
Upon rejoinlng his companio
airplane, they Immediately were al
tackled by three enemy fighter
Gies' furious attack sent one raidt
. crashing and dispersed the two n
] naming enemy planes. His ski
and determination further enable
Giles to fly his badly damaged plar
back" 4