OPERATION ANVIL - Continued

15 Aug 44

An extract from the official history states, "the Group committed...an estimated 50 airplanes...towing more than 300 gliders...because of obstructions placed in the glider landing zones, all of the gliders were damaged or destroyed, 11 glider pilots were killed and approximately 100 glider troops were injured. The large quantities of material delivered had very little damage. There was some damage from anti-aircraft fire but all Group planes returned safely."

(64^TH CITATION FOLLOWING ANVIL) HEADQUARTERS TWELFTH AIR FORCE A.P.O. 650
GENERAL ORDERS)						7 October 1944
:
NUMBER 187)				EXTRACT
Awards of Air Medal and/or Oak-Leaf Cluster Thereto (Posthumous). . . . . . . I
Awards of Air Medal and/or Oak-Leaf Cluster Thereto. . . . . . . . . . . . . II
*			*			*
SECTION II - AWARDS OF AIR MEDAL AND/OR OAK-LEAF CLUSTER THERETO
*			*		*		*
4.	Under the provisions of AR 600-45, as amended, and pursuant to
authority contained in Circular 89, Headquarters, NATOUSA, 10 July 1944, the Air Medal and/or Oak-Leaf Cluster thereto, in the categories listed, is awarded to the following named personnel, 64th Troop Carrier Group, Air Corps, United States Army, assignment and residence as indicated, for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight during the airborne invasion of Southern France on 15 August 1944. In these operations, which were primarily Responsible for paralyzing the German defenses along the coast and insuring the success of our amphibious assaults, the gliders and C-47 type aircraft of the 51st Troop Carrier Wing delivered a total of 1678 paratroopers, 370 airborne troops and 81 tons of vital supplies to the assigned drop zones, precisely on schedule. The professional skill, heroism and devotion to duty displayed by each crew member reflect highest credit upon himself and Military Service of the United States:
*			*		*		*
By command of Major General Cannon:
						John W. Monahan Colonel, Air Corps Chief of Staff
OFFICIAL:
		/ Wm. W. Dick t/ WILLIAM W. DICK Colonel, AGD Adjutant General

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