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| USAAF FEAF 24th Pursuit Group 17th Pursuit Squadron  USAAF c1941 |
Pilot 1st Lt. Russel M. Church, Jr., O-374264 (KIA, BR) Dumont, NJ Crashed December 16, 1941 MACR none Aircraft History Built by Curtiss in Buffalo, New York. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as P-40E Warhawk serial number unknown. Disassembled and shipped to the Philippines arriving November 25, 1941 and reassembled. Wartime History Assigned to the Far East Air Force (FEAF), 24th Pursuit Group (Interceptor), 17th Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) at Nichols Field. No known tail number or nose art. Mission History On December 16, 1941 at 5:50am took off from Clark Field piloted by 1st Lt. Russel M. Church, Jr. armed with six 30 pound fragmentation bombs flying as wingman for P-40E Warhawk pilot 1st Lt. Boyd D. "Buzz" Wagner on a mission to bomb and strafe Vigan Airfield and Vigan where 29 Japanese fighters were spotted the previous day and after winning a coin toss, the pair were chosen to fly the mission. Escorting the pair was P-40E Warhawk pilot Allison Strauss who flew top cover at 15,000'. Over the target, the P-40s encountered intense anti-aircraft fire as Wagner made a dive bombing attack against a Japanese ship off Vigan and claimed several hits. Church attempted to dive bomb Vigan Airfield but was hit by anti-aircraft fire that hit nose and causing it to catch fire. Over the radio, Wagner ordered him to turn back and bail out but instead he continued his attack releasing his bombs among parked planes and soon after making his attack exploded and crashed. Afterwards, Wagner and Church were recommended for the Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) by General Douglas MacArthur. Recovery of Remains After the crash, the remains of Church were recovered and buried. Memorials Church was officially declared dead the day of the mission. He earned the Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) posthumously for his role in the December 16, 1941 mission. Also the Soldier's Medal and Purple Heart, posthumously that were later presented to his parents in the United States by Col. Thomas Crystal, post commander of Fort Jay. He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery at section 34, site 4751. Relatives Russell M. Church (father) Mary C. Church (mother) References FindAGrave - 1LT Russel Morse Church Jr. (photo, grave photo) Arlington National Cemetery (ANC Explorer) - Russel M. Church (grave photo) Distinguished Service Cross citation, Russel M. Church, Jr. "The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross, (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Russel M. Church (ASN: 0-374264), 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 aerial combat against enemy forces on 16 December 1941, during an air mission over Vigan, Philippine Islands. Together with First Lieutenant Boyd Wagner, First Lieutenant Church undertook the hazardous mission of dive bombing the enemy-held airfield at Vigan in the Philippine Islands. When they had reached the target area, Lieutenant Wagner signaled Lieutenant Strauss in a third fighter to remain on patrol, while he and Lieutenant Church proceeded to bomb the airfield. As they went into a dive, Lieutenant Church's plane was hit and set afire by anti-aircraft fire, but he continued the attack, released his bombs, and crashed to his death. First Lieutenant Church's unquestionable valor in aerial combat, at the cost of his life, 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." Doomed From The Start (1995) by William H. Bartsch pages 28, 40, 59, 155, 161, 168-169 (December 16, 1941), 170 (DSC recommendation), 454 (footnote 13, 15), 490 (index Church) Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated
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