🇺🇲WWII uncovered: Captain Charles Clark Kegelman: Hero of the Independence Day Raid of July 4, 1942:

 🇺🇲WWII uncovered: Captain Charles Clark Kegelman: Hero of the Independence Day Raid of July 4, 1942:


The first American air strike against German targets in Europe in World War II took place on July 4, 1942.

 Flying six twin-engine A-20 light bombers, and joined by six other planes of the same type flown by British Royal Air Force crews of 226 Squadron, airmen of the US Eighth Air Force’s 15th Bomb Squadron attacked four German airfields in the Netherlands. 

In this mission, under the guidance of the RAF's 226 Squadron, Captain Charles Clark Kegelman lead the first raid over occupied Holland. 

He was the first Eighth Air Force pilot to earn the Distinguished Service Cross. 

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Captain (Air Corps) Charles Clark Kegelman, United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of an A-20 Bomber in the 15th Bombardment Squadron, 27th Bombardment Group (L), EIGHTH Air Force, while participating in a bombing mission on 4 July 1942, against enemy ground targets in Holland.

 On this date, Captain Kegelman led a squadron of American A-20 bombers in a mission against enemy targets in occupied Holland, the first such American raid of the war. 

While flying with the element detailed to bomb De Kooy Airdrome, Captain Kegelman had his right propeller shot away by flak while in the vicinity of the target. 

The ground fire also damaged his right wing and started a fire in his right engine.

 Lieutenant Kegelman's plane lost altitude and actually struck the ground, but he was able to keep it in the air after it bounced back up. 

Then, as he was preparing to leave the scene as fast as his one good engine would take him, he saw the gunners of a flak tower swinging their guns on him.

 Turning slightly, he flew directly at the tower and opened fire with the nose guns at close range. Fire from the tower ceased.

 He then proceeded to fly home at water level. The personal courage and zealous devotion to duty displayed by Captain Kegelman on this occasion have upheld the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 8th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.

On March 9, 1945, then-Colonel Kegelman was fatally wounded while serving with the 42nd Bombardment Group (Medium) at Mindanao, Philippine Islands. 

He was 29 years old at the time of his passing.

 Charles lies in rest at El Reno Cemetery in El Reno Oklahoma. Lest We Forget.

On this Independence Day, please join us in honoring Charles Clark Kegelman for his ultimate sacrifice. Lest We Forget.

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