1st Lieutenant John J. Kavanaugh

U.S. Army, Fifth Air Force

Asiatic Pacific Theatre

September 11-November 22, 1943

Lieutenant Kavanaugh was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement during sustained operational activity against the enemy as a pilot of C-47’s an dC-46’s on missions from New Guinea, Beak and the Philippines.

Missions included dropping supplies, transporting troops to advanced positions and evacuating the wounded. Flights involved flying at low altitudes over mountainous terrain under adverse weather conditions in an unarmed transport airplane, which often necessitated landing within a few miles of enemy bases where hostile contact was both probable and expected.

Lt. Kavanaugh flew 122 combat missions and logged 512 combat flying hours. Throughout these operations, outstanding courage, ability and devotion to duty were displayed.