Evening star., 1942-09-24
Col. Harry Ha|verson
Revealed as Leader
|0f Raid on Rumania
Bomber Commander and
Al Other Flyers Get
Silver Star Awards

Al Other Flyers Get
Silver Stor Awards
BY the Associated Press.
CAIRO, Sept. 24.-Col Harry A
Halverson, commander Of United
States bombers in the Middle East
theater, led in person the raid by
American heavy bombers on the
Rumanian oil fields last June II, 1t
was disclosed yesterday when he and
Il other American flyers were
awarded the silver star. citation for
gallantry in action.
Col. Halverson's citation said that
after a long and arduous fight he
attacked q large refinery in Ru-
mania at the head OF q formation
of heavy bombers. In spit OF enemy
fighter opposition his force caused
considerable destruction and the
operation was 80 successfully plan
ned as to render enemy opposition
ineffective"
Col. Halverson, Al, is a native of
Boone. Iowa, and has been an Army
pilot for "a years.
19 Recipients Present.
The decorations were announced
at ceremony at an undisclosed
Allied base in the Near East, with
Maj. Gen. Lewis H. Bereton, COM
manding American Air Forces, read
ing the citations and Air Chief Mar
shall Arthur william Tedder, the
Raj commander In this theater,
pinning the crosses on the 10 re-
cipients present.
Maj Alfred Kalberer Of Holly
wood, Calf, won the award while
acting as commander of a flight
of seven heavy bombers over the
Mediterranean and damaging enemy
units despite heavy anti-aircraft
fire.
The citation said Maj. Kalberer
so conducted the bombing opera
tions as to severely damage the
enemy fleet and force it to return to
its base, thereby permitting the pas
sage to Malta of vital British con-
voy."
In this action Maj. Kalberer's
flight destroyed two enemy fighters
without loss to itself.
Action Against Italians.
Maj. Paul F. Davis of New York,
Maj. John H. Payne of Austin, Tex,
and First 1t. John r. Taylor Of
Brighton, Colo, won awards for sue
cessfully handling their aircraft in
action June Is against units Of the
Italian fleet and inflicting two cas-
ualties on enemy aircraft.
Capt. Francis r. Rang of Albu-
querque, N. Mex, also won his award
as a result Of gallantry shown in
the. same action when he COM
manded q four motored heavy
bomber.
Capts. James w. Silbert of In
dianapolis and John w. Wilkinson
Of Pittsfield, Mass, also have been
awarded the silver star for their
action in the Mediterranean convoy
fight on June Is.
The following flyers also won
awards as result of gallantry June
Is over the Mediterranean. pro-
tecting the Malta convoy:
First Its. Olen o. Bryant, jack
son, Miss; Harry w. Ebert, jr,
Elkins, w. Va: Allen w. Hopkins,
Carlisle, KY; William r. Joyner,
Fort Myers, Fla; Walter Shea (no
address,, Edward A.. Crouchley,
Providence, r. l.; Richard @. Miller,
El Paso, Tex; Cevile Patterson, jr.,
McKeesport, Pa; Ferdinand r.
Schmidt, Mount Vernon. N. r.;
John r. Wilcox. Tyler, Tex.
Radio Gunners Honored.
The following won awards in the
same action while acting as aerial
radio gunners:
Technical Sergt. Joseph G. Ko-
nurke OF Ell Paso, Tex: Staf1 Sergts.
Noel w. Meek Of Pittsburg Landing,
Tenn; Roy r. Taylor of Philadel-
phia, Douglas H. Williams OF Ker-
shaw, S. c.; Sergts. Robert Kessler
Of McKeesport and Anderson r.
Patrick Of Piedmont, w. Va.
Acting as radio gunners: Technical
Sergt. Gust D. Portl of Berwyn, ILL.,;
Staff Sergts. Claud F. Anglin Of
Hamilton. Ala; Albert S. Fisher Of
Newport. Tenn: Louie L. Walters Of
Taylors, S. c.: Lacey A. Whitley
of Told Mill, S. c., and Sergt. Joe
C.. Saia of Shaw, Mass.
The following aerial gunners in
the June is Mediterranean show re-
ceived the Silver Star:
Staff Sergts. James H. Leahan,
Washington, D. c.; James r. Mil
liren. Brookville, Pa; David A.
Tunno, Burgettstown, Pa; Ralph
Alexander, La Toilette, Tenn; Sergt
Charles E. Salmon, jr., OF Dunellen
N. j.; Corpls. John ]. Beatty. Morris
vile, Pa; Robert ]. Coure, Chicago;
James r. Peterson, Thatcher, Ariz
and Anthony Fillipiny and Joseph
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