William Grant Tennille, Jr.
Major, U.S. Army Air Forces

On 8 June 1944, Major William Grant Tennille, Jr. was serving as Pilot of a B-25 Mitchell Bomber in the 17th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 71st Reconnaissance Group, Fifth Air Force, U.S. Army Air Forces in the Far East.

On that day, MAJ Tennille’s unit was in action against Japanese forces while participating in a bombing mission against Japanese warships in the Southwest Pacific Area of Operations. MAJ Tennille's B-25 was hit and badly damaged by enemy fire while attacking a large Japanese destroyer. Despite the damage to his airplane, MAJ Tennille held his course, his plane trailing fire, until he crashed into the enemy ship. MAJ Tennille’s courageous actions and extraordinary heroism that day earned him, at the cost of his life, the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Purple Heart
Air Medal with Award Numeral 1
American Defense Service Medal
American Campaign Medal
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
World War II Victory Medal
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 Major (Air Corps) William G. Tennille, Jr. (ASN: 0-396485), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a B-25 Medium Bomber in the 17th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 71st Reconnaissance Group, FIFTH Air Force, while participating in a bombing mission on 8 June 1944, against enemy warships in Southwest Pacific Area of Operations. Major Tennille's airplane was hit and badly damaged by enemy fire while attacking a large destroyer. Despite the damage to his airplane, he held his course, his bomber trailing fire, until he crashed into the enemy vessel. The personal courage and zealous devotion to duty displayed by Major Tennille on this occasion, at the cost of his life, have upheld the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 5th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.

Headquarters, U.S. Army Forces in the Far East, General Orders No. 12 (1945)

Memorialization

The remains of Major William Grant Tennille, 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/56748225/william-g-tennille