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First Name: J.

Last Name: Daniell

Birthplace: Birmingham, AL, USA

Gender: Male

Branch: Air Force (1947 - present)



Home of Record: Birmingham, AL
Middle Name: S.



Date of Birth: 26 June 1922

Date of Death: 21 September 1975

Rank: Major

Years Served:
J. S. Daniell
'Jack'

   
Engagements:
•  World War II (1941 - 1945)
•  Korean War (1950 - 1953)
•  Vietnam War (1960 - 1973)

Biography:

J. S. Daniell
Major, U.S. Air Force

On 26 November 1944, then-First Lieutenant J. S. Daniell was serving as Pilot of a P-51 Fighter Airplane in the 505th Fighter Squadron, 339th Fighter Group, Eighth Air Force, U.S. Army Air Forces.

On that day, 1LT Daniell's squadron was in aerial combat against German forces in the European Theater of Operations. 1LT Daniell became an Ace in a day by shooting down 5 German FW-190s in a single engagement. 1LT Daniell's courageous actions and extraordinary heroism in aerial combat that day earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

From 2 January to 21 February 1945, 1LT Daniell's squadron was in aerial combat against enemy forces in the European Theater of Operations. Despite adverse weather conditions, 1LT Daniell's piloting skill, sound tactical judgment and marked aggressiveness, materially contributed to the success of the bomber escort missions over the Siegfried Defenses over Mannheim and Frankfurt, Germany, on 21 January 1945. 1LT Daniell's superior airmanship and courageous devotion to duty earned him the Distinguished Flying Cross.

After the war, in 1947 Daniell transferred to the newly-formed U.S. Air Force, and retired in 1966 as a Major.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Distinguished Flying Cross
American Campaign Medal
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal
World War II Victory Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Air Force Longevity Service Award with Silver Oak Leaf Cluster
Army Air Force Pilot Badge

Distinguished Service Cross Citation (Synopsis)

First Lieutenant (Air Corps) J. S. Daniell (ASN: 0-697008), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-51 Fighter Airplane in the 505th Fighter Squadron, 339th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces on 26 November 1944, in the European Theater of Operations. On this date Lieutenant Daniell became an ACE in a day by shooting down five German FW-190s in a single engagement. First Lieutenant Daniell's unquestionable valor in aerial combat is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 8th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.

General Orders: Headquarters, U.S. Strategic Forces in Europe, General Orders No. 29 (1945)

Congressional Gold Medal

The Congressional Gold Medal, created by the U.S. Mint, is the highest civilian honor Congress can give on behalf of the American people. On 20 May 2015, leaders from the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate presented the Congressional Gold Medal to the American Fighter Aces Association at the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center Emancipation Hall.

More than 60,000 American fighter pilots engaged in aerial combat during World War I, World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. Of those pilots, only 1,447 earned the title of fighter “Ace” by downing at least five enemy aircraft. Major J. S. Daniell was one of them, having been credited with 5 aircraft shot down in aerial combat. At the time of the presentation of the Medal, only 75 of those Aces remained alive.

Death and Burial

Major J. S. Daniell died on 21 September 1975. He is buried at Barrancas National Cemetery in Pensacola, Escambia County, FL, in Plot: 25, 0, 825.

https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=73448198



Honoree ID: 312608   Created by: MHOH

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