John L. Dains

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Silver Star Medal (Posthumously) to John L. Dains, Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army Air Force, for gallantry in action while serving with the 47th Pursuit Squadron, 15th Pursuit Group, at Haleiwa Field and over the Island of Oahu, Territory of Hawaii, on 7 December 1941. When the American forces on Oahu were surprised by a heavy attack launched by Japanese forces, Lieutenant Dains took off to combat the enemy in a F-40 type airplane without advance information regarding the strength, disposition or type of enemy aircraft. Lieutenant Dains flew three missions on the morning of 7 December 1941, a total of approximately two and one-half hours. The first two missions were flown in a P-40 type airplane, and the third mission in a P-36 type airplane. He was killed in action during the third mission. Lieutenant Dains’ undaunted courage and determined action contributed to a large extent toward driving off the sudden enemy air attack.

Authority: “Heroes of Pearl Harbor”, Donald K. & Helen L. Ross