Jack Delmar Dale, Jr.
Colonel, U.S. Air Force

World War II

On 10 December 1941, then-Second Lieutenant Jack Delmar Dale, Jr. was serving as Pilot of a P-40 Fighter Airplane in the 17th Pursuit Squadron, 24th Pursuit Group, Far East Air Force, U.S. Army Air Forces.

On that day, 2LT Dale's squadron was in action against Japanese forces near Vigan, Ilocos Norte, Philippine Islands. 2LT Dale led his flight in repeated attacks into a heavy concentration of anti-aircraft fire from cruisers, several destroyers, submarines and other armed Japanese craft. These attacks resulted not only in the silencing of 3 anti-aircraft guns and the destruction of numerous barges with a consequent high toll among the invaders, they also completely disrupted a strong landing effort by the Japanese forces. His exhibition of courageous leadership and devotion to duty in the face of great odds also provided inspiration to pilots and other personnel. 2LT Dale's courageous actions and extraordinary heroism that day earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

On the morning of 25 February 1942, now-Captain Dale was the leader of a flight that was acting as fighter escort for a formation of LB-30's and A-24's. The mission was to bomb enemy shipping concentrations in the Straits of Lumbak near Bali. The flight was attacked by a numerically-superior Japanese force but CPT Dale, by skillful flying and extreme daring, was able to shoot down 2 enemy fighters. His display of personal valor was an inspiration to the entire flight and it soon dispersed the enemy fighters and made it possible for the American bombers to complete their mission with excellent results. All the members of his flight, and the bombers that they were protecting, returned safely. CPT Dale's heroic conduct that day earned him the U.S. Army's third highest award for valor, the Silver Star Medal.

As a Lieutenant Colonel in 1944, Dale was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight over enemy-occupied Continental Europe during World War II.

LTC Dale shot down a 3rd aircraft in aerial combat late in the war while with the 384th Fighter Squadron.

Korean War

On 20 October 1950, LTC Dale distinguished himself while leading a flight on a close support mission for a para-drop to the Suchon area. Instrument flying weather prevailed for a major portion of the flight to the target area. On reaching the drop area, LTC Dale encountered flak from 20-mm anti-aircraft guns. Ignoring the flak and enemy small arms fire, he led his flight to devastating passes on the enemy positions with napalm, rockets and .50 caliber machine guns. He personally destroyed three 20-mm. anti-aircraft guns and annihilated an estimated 100 enemy troops. As a direct result of these aerial attacks, American forces were able to advance and capture Suchon. The flying skill, aggressiveness and leadership LTC Dale displayed in carrying out this extremely dangerous mission earned him a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Silver Star Medal
Legion of Merit
Distinguished Flying Cross with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster
American Defense Service Medal
American Campaign Medal
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal
World War II Victory Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Korean Service Medal
Air Force Longevity Service Award
Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation Medal
United Nations Service Medal
Republic of Korea War Service Medal
Command Pilot Badge

He was also awarded the Order of the British Empire.

Distinguished Service Cross Citation

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 Second Lieutenant (Air Corps) Jack D. Dale (ASN: 0-401140/4176A), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-40 Fighter Airplane in the 17th Pursuit Squadron, 24th Pursuit Group, FAR EAST Air Force, in action near Vigan, Ilocos Norte, Philippine Islands, on 10 December 1941. Into a concentration of anti-aircraft fire from cruisers and several destroyers, submarines and other armed enemy craft, Lieutenant Dale led his flight in repeated attacks which entirely disrupted a strong landing effort by the Japanese forces. His exhibition of courageous leadership and of unflinching devotion to duty in the face of great odds resulted not only in the silencing of three anti-aircraft guns and the destruction of numerous barges with a consequent high toll among the invaders, but in providing inspiration to pilots and other personnel. Second Lieutenant Dale's unquestionable valor in aerial combat is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the Far East Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.

General Orders: Headquarters, U.S. Army Forces in the Far East, General Orders No. 48 (December 21, 1941)

Death and Burial

Colonel Jack Delmar Dale, Jr. died on 10 December 1990. He is buried at Cross Creek Cemetery #2 in Fayetteville, Cumberland County, NC, in Block 11.

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