Leroy Adolph Schreiber
Major, U.S. Army Air Forces

On 20 February 1944, then-Captain Leroy Adolph Schreiber was serving as Pilot of a P-47 Thunderbolt Fighter Plane in the 62nd Fighter Squadron, 56th Fighter Group, Eighth Air Force, U.S. Army Air Forces.

On that day, CPT Schreiber’s unit was in aerial combat against German forces in the European Theater of Operations when he shot down three enemy aircraft in a single engagement. CPT Schreiber’s flying skills, courageous actions and extraordinary heroism that day earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

On 15 April 1944, CPT Schreiber was shot down and killed in action. Before his death, CPT Schreiber had been credited with shooting down 12 enemy aircraft in aerial combat, earning him the title 'Double Ace.'

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Distinguished Flying Cross with 4 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters
Purple Heart
Air Medal with Award Numeral 3
American Defense Service Medal
American Campaign Medal
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with 3 Bronze Stars
World War II Victory Medal
Croix de Guerre with Palm (France)
Presidential Unit Citation
Army Air Force Pilot Badge

Distinguished Service Cross Citation (Synopsis)

Captain (Air Corps) Leroy Adolph Schreiber (ASN: 0-401242), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-47 Fighter Airplane in the 62d Fighter Squadron, 56th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces on 20 February 1944, in the European Theater of Operations. On this date as Captain Schreiber shot down three enemy aircraft in a single engagement. Captain Schreiber's unquestionable valor in aerial combat is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 8th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.

Headquarters, U.S. Strategic Forces in Europe, General Orders No. 25 (1944)

Congressional Gold Medal

The Congressional Gold Medal, created by the U.S. Mint, is the highest civilian honor Congress can give on behalf of the American people. On 20 May 2015, leaders from the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate presented the Congressional Gold Medal [see photo] to the American Fighter Aces Association at the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center Emancipation Hall.

More than 60,000 American fighter pilots engaged in aerial combat during World War I, World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. Of those pilots, only 1,447 earned the title of fighter “Ace” by downing at least five enemy aircraft. Major Leroy Adolph Schreiber was one of them, having been credited with 12 aircraft shot down in aerial combat. At the time of the presentation of the Medal, only 75 of those Aces remained alive.

Burial

Major Leroy Adolph Schreiber is buried at the Ardennes American Cemetery and Memorial in Neuville-en-Condroz, Arrondissement de Liège, Liège, Belgium in Plot C, Row 1, Grave 45.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/56360781/leroy-adolph-schreiber