Richard Van Wyck Negley, Jr.
First Lieutenant, U.S. Army Air Forces

On 16 January 1942, then-First Lieutenant Richard Van Wyck Negley, Jr. was serving as Co-Pilot of a B-17 Flying Fortress Bomber in the 7th Bombardment Group (Heavy), Tenth Air Force, U.S. Army Air Forces.

On that day, 1LT Negley’s unit was in action against Japanese forces while participating in a bombing mission against enemy targets in the Southwest Pacific Area of Operations during the Battle of Java. During the bombing mission, 1LT Negley’s B-17E aircraft was attacked by 15 Japanese fighters, of which 7 were shot down by the bomber's gunners. The B-17 was forced to land in an isolated section where they fought off Japanese attacks for 2 days before the crew was recovered. 1LT Negley’s flying skills, courageous actions and extraordinary heroism that day earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

At 0735 hours on 8 February 1942, nine B-17s from the 7th Bombardment Group took off from Singosari Airfield near the northern coast of eastern Java to bomb the Japanese-occupied Kendari II Airfield. A dozen Japanese fighters trailed the bomber formation from behind and made head on attacks, shooting down B-17E (SN 41-2456), 1LT Negley’s plane. 1LT Negley was Killed in Action.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Purple Heart
American Defense Service Medal
American Campaign Medal
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with Silver and Bronze Star
World War II Victory Medal
Presidential Unit Citation
Army Air Force Pilot Badge

Distinguished Service Cross Citation (Synopsis)

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) Richard VanWyck Negley, Jr. (ASN: 0-22108), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Co-Pilot of a B-17 Heavy Bomber in the 7th Bombardment Group (H), TENTH Air Force, while participating in a bombing mission on 16 January 1942, against enemy targets in the Southwest Pacific Area of Operations during the Battle of Java. On that date during a bombing mission, his aircraft was attacked by fifteen Japanese fighters, of which seven were shot down by the bomber crew. The bomber was forced to land in an isolated section where they fought off enemy attacks for two days before the crew was recovered. The personal courage and zealous devotion to duty displayed by First Lieutenant Negley on this occasion have upheld the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 10th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.

Headquarters, South West Pacific Area, General Orders No. 34 (September 15, 1942)

Memorialization

The remains of First Lieutenant Richard Van Wyck Negley, Jr. were never recovered. He is memorialized by having his name inscribed on the Walls of the Missing at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial in Manila, Capital District, National Capital Region, Philippines.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/10086968/richard-van_wyck-negley