Niven Kendall Cranfill

Colonel, U. S. Army Air Force

Silver Star

During World War II, Niven Cranfill became a U.S. Army Air Forces ACE, credited with shooting down 5 enemy aircraft in aerial combat. After the war he transferred to the new U.S. Air Force, and retired in 1970 as a Colonel.

GENERAL ORDERS:
Headquarters, 8th Air Force, General Orders No. 486 (1944)
CITATION:
(Citation Needed) - SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps) Niven Kendall Cranfill (ASN: 0-431124), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action against the enemy as a Fighter Pilot of the 359th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the European Theater of Operations His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army Air Forces.

GENERAL ORDERS:
Headquarters, 8th Air Force, General Orders No. 34 (1945)
CITATION:
(Citation Needed) - SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps) Niven Kendall Cranfill (ASN: 0-431124), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star for gallantry in action against the enemy as a Fighter Pilot of the 359th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the European Theater of Operations His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army Air Forces.