Philip Herndon Hawkins

Captain, U. S. Army Air Forces

Silver Star

Headquarters, 5th Air Force, General Orders No. 127 (June 21, 1943)
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 (Air Corps) Phil H. Hawkins (ASN: 0-724617), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action while serving with the 90th Bombardment Squadron, 3d Bombardment Group (Light), FIFTH Air Force on 14 December 1942. Lieutenant Hawkins was the pilot of one aircraft in a squadron of eight B-25 Liberator Bombers sent out to bomb three Japanese destroyers and two cruisers about twenty miles east of Finschhafen, New Guinea. Due to bad weather Lieutenant Hawkins plane was the only one to reach the target. On the first run over the target the B-25 suffered a direct anti-aircraft hit, blowing the entire rear section off the left engine nacelle. Because of defective bomb racks the B-25 was unable to release all of its bombs. One bomb released and fell about twenty-five feet to the stern of the rear destroyer. Despite the fact that the left engine nacelle was half shot away, Lieutenant Hawkins made two more runs over the target. On the third run the B-25 was intercepted by eight type Zero aircraft and was forced to salvo its bombs, turn tail to the Zeros and seek cover. In the running fight that ensued one of the Zero aircraft made a high side approach from the left and was shot down. Lieutenant Hawkins returned to his base and made an excellent landing despite the fact that the left tire was blown out. It is this type of courage and pilotage that is a morale building for our Air Force.

Distinguished Flying Cross