The Coolidge examiner., 1945-04-06

Deen stationed since returning
from overseas.
Colonel Tesch has been a mem
Der of the Army Air Forces since
June 26, 1910; when he discarded
his engineering studies at the Uni
versity of Missouri when war ap-
peared eminent. He completed his
cadet training at The Sparton
School of Aeronautics at Tulsa,
Randolph Field and Brooks Field
Texas. He was commissioned and
awarded his wings 7 Feb Al. His
first assignment took him to Ham
ilton Field, California, where he
became a member of the goth Pur-
suit Group and subsequently was
transferred to the Troop Carrier
Command He departed for over
seas duty on % July 1912 where
he remained on active duty for
approximately % months.
. His foreign assignments have
taken him into Greenland, England,
North Africa, Sicily, Italy, France
and his last assignment was in the
China-Burma-India Theatre of OPP
erations. He was a Squadron Com
mander in the Gath Troop Carrier
Group. He participated in the
North African invasion. Tunisian
campaign, 'Sicilian invasion, Italian
invasion and the invasion of South
ern France. His group was in
North Africa when airfields were
make-shift arrangements of the
desert. They ferried paratroops
and supplies without fighter escort
and at tree top levels over the en-
tire African battle fronts and Med
iterranean Areas at a time when
the enemy had air superiority, and
on many occasions under heavy
artillery fire without fighter es-
cort.
Commencing with the invasion OF
Sicily and Italy and Mediterranean
Islands his squadron flew supplies
and troops across the sea, same
altitude as on land, and upon the
return trips would evacuate the
wounded.
During the time of the Italian in
vasion, Colonel Tesch was the first
pilot to return wounded men from
the battle front. His heroic man
ner of handling this evacuation re-
ceived notable comment in the
STARS AND STRIPES MAGA-
ZINE. The co, however, regards
this as just another ordinary per-
formance of duty.
His overseas combat missions
totaled 178 and over 1855 opera
tional hours were flown, during
which time he participated in six
paratroop drops. Some of his a.
wards and citations are: Air Medal
four (4 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters,
and the Distinguished Flying Cross
The last personal award was an
Oak Leaf Cluster to the Distin-
guished Flying Cross. At this time
Colonel Tesch was under the 18th
Air Force and the award was di-
rected by Major General Doolittle
for his participation in flights over
Southern France as Squadron Com
mander.
Colonel Tesch with his Group
later came to the rescue of the
Chinese when the Japs made g
breakthrough in India and stopped
supplies. The Gath Carrier Group
transferred from Italy to the China
Burma-India Theatre in a period
of six days and was ready to de-
liver supplies and troops to oul
beleaguered allies, according to
the Unit Citation issued to his
Group. The Citation further stated
that the flights were made during
inclement weather, from inadequate
air strips, in unarmed planes and
unarmored planes and without
fighter escorts. Frequently theil
planes were under fire when land
ing and while unloading and some
were lost over jungles by enemy
fire action.
1t. Col. Tesch is a native of st
Joseph, Mo. He and Mrs. Tescf
and small daughter reside in Cool
idge.