Thomas J. Classen
Colonel, U.S. Air Force

On 9 February 1943, then-Captain Thomas J. Classen was serving with the 72nd Bombardment Squadron, 5th Bombardment Group (Heavy), Thirteenth Air Force, U.S. Army Air Forces in the South Pacific Area.

On that day, CPT Classen's unit was pilot of a B-17 Flying Fortress bomber engaged in a search mission over Japanese territory. During the search, CPT Classen's airplane was attacked by 8 Japanese Zero fighters. The enemy circled at maximum gun range, executing a series of direct assaults. Two of the enemy fighters were shot down and 2 more were probably destroyed during the initial phase of the air battle. However, 1 engine of the bomber was silenced, 10 guns were damaged beyond use, and all members of the crew were wounded. CPT Classen, blood streaming through a handkerchief gripped in his teeth, directed his crew in the long fight that continued. After attacking for an hour and a half, the fighters finally gave up the chase, leaving 2 of the bomber's engines silenced and a 3rd damaged. By this time the airplane was flying barely 20 feet above the water. Ordering that all possible gear be thrown from the plane, CPT Classen, by tenacity and skill, was able to attain an altitude of 800 feet after about an hour. When a water landing of the disabled airplane was required, he directed ditching preparations with such skill that his entire crew escaped from the wreckage. The group of airmen paddled and drifted in 2 inflated life rafts through torrid sun and tropical storms for more than 600 miles until, on the 16th day, they made their way through a difficult coral passage to a group of little-known islands in enemy territory. Upon being recognized as Americans, they received all the rest and comforts the war-starved Melanesian settlement could offer. Sixty-six days after the encounter with the enemy fighters, the air crew reached an island occupied by friendly personnel and were returned to their base. During all that time they were listed as Missing in Action and presumed dead. CPT Classen's determination and skill contributed greatly to the escape and safe return of his entire crew. CPT Classen's courageous actions and extraordinary heroism earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

Classen remained in the military and retired from the U.S. Air Force as a Colonel.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Distinguished Flying Cross
Purple Heart
American Campaign Medal
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
World War II Victory Medal
Army of Occupation Medal National Defense Service Medal
Air Force Longevity Service Award
Command Pilot Badge

Distinguished Service Cross Citation

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Captain (Air Corps) Thomas J. Classen, United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a B-17 Heavy Bomber in the 72d Bombardment Squadron, 5th Bombardment Group (H), THIRTEENTH Air Force, while engaged in a search mission over enemy territory on 9 February 1943, in the South Pacific Area. During this search Captain Classen's airplane was attacked by eight enemy Zero fighters. The enemy circled at maximum gun range, executing a series of direct assaults. Two of the enemy fighters were shot down and two more were probably destroyed during the initial phase of the air battle, although one engine of the bomber was silenced, ten guns were damaged beyond usefulness, and all members of the crew wounded. Captain Classen, blood streaming through a handkerchief gripped in his teeth, directed his crew in the long running flight which continued. After attacking for an hour and a half, the fighters finally gave up the chase, leaving two motors of the bomber silenced and a third damaged. By this time the airplane was flying at an altitude of barely 20 feet above the water. Ordering the removal of all possible gear, Captain Classen, by unshakeable tenacity and consummate skill was able, after approximately an hour's effort to gain an altitude of 800 feet. When a water landing of the disabled airplane was necessitated, he directed preparations with such ability that all of his crew escaped from the wreckage. The group of airmen paddled and drifted in two inflated life rafts through torrid sun and tropical storms for more than 600 miles, until on the sixteenth day they made their way through a difficult coral passage to a group of little-known islands in enemy territory where, upon being recognized as Americans, they received what rest and comforts the war starved native settlement could offer. More than two months after the encounter with the enemy fighters the air crew reached an island occupied by friendly personnel and were returned to their base. Captain Classen's extraordinary determination and skill contributed greatly to the escape and safe return of his entire crew. The personal courage and zealous devotion to duty displayed by Captain Classen throughout this period have upheld the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 13th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.

General Orders: Headquarters, U.S. Army Forces in the South Pacific Area, General Orders No. 105 (May 1, 1943)

Death and Burial

Colonel Thomas J. Classen died on 15 May 2009. He is buried at Saint Stephen Cemetery in Stevens Point, Portage County, WI.

https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=156290228