Willis E. Umholtz

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Willis E. Umholtz, United States Air Force, for First Lieutenant Willis E. Umholtz, United States Air Force. Lieutenant Umholtz distinguished himself by gallantry in action against an enemy on 12 April 1951 as pilot of a B-29, 30th Bombardment Squadron, 19th Bombardment Group (Medium) FIFTH Air Force. Twenty-five miles from the target over North Korea, the formation was attacked repeatedly and aggressively by enemy fighters. Despite these attacks, combined with heavy anti-aircraft fire, a normal bomb drop was accomplished. Immediately after the bomb drop, the cockpit was struck by an explosive projectile, which killed the bombardier, mortally wounded the aircraft commander and wounded Lieutenant Umholtz in the knee, shoulder and neck. In spite of his wounds, and the violent explosive decompression and loss of oxygen, he assumed immediate control of the aircraft. In order not to divert the crew from giving first aid to the aircraft commander, he did not inform them of his wounds, and still under heavy attack, he flew the formation cross-cockpit until the area of immediate danger was cleared. After landing the badly damaged aircraft at an emergency base and only after assuring himself of the safety of the remaining crew members did he report himself as wounded. Lieutenant Umholtz’s quick thinking, courage and devotion to duty reflected great credit upon himself, the Far East Air Forces, and the United States Air Force.