John Henry Diehl, Jr.
Colonel, U.S. Air Force

On 20 March 1942, First Lieutenant John Henry Diehl, Jr. became a B-24 Liberator bomber pilot in the 68th Bombardment Squadron, 44th Bombardment Group (Heavy), U.S. Army Air Forces. The Group was deployed to Cheddington, Buckinghamshire, England and assigned to the Eighth Air Force on 11 September 1942. The Group was then transferred TDY (Attached) to the Ninth Air Force at Benina Main, Libya from 28 June to 25 August 1943. On 3 July 1943, then-Captain Diehl became Commanding Officer of the 68th Squadron.

On 1 August 1943, CPT Diehl's 68th Squadron was in action against German forces while participating in a bombing mission against the Ploesti Oil Refineries in Rumania as part of Operation Tidal Wave. During a long and hazardous attack against a vital enemy oil installation made at low-altitude by a formation of B-24 type aircraft, Captain Diehl flew his B-24D bomber SN 41-23813 named 'Victory Ship' [see photo] through heavy enemy fire against impossible odds. While on approach to the target at treetop level, Victory Ship was hit by 37mm rounds that shot off part of the aircraft's tail and mortally wounded SSG Truitt H. Williams, one of his gunners. Despite this, CPT Diehl continued on and brought the rest of his crew safely back to base. CPT Diehl's skilled flying, courageous actions and extraordinary heroism that day earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross. COL James Posey, Deputy Commander of the 44th Bombardment Group during the Ploesti mission, was on CPT Diehl's aircraft and also received the DSC.

Later in the War, CPT Diehl was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a B-25 Bomber that was participating in a bombing mission against enemy targets.

After World War II, CPT Diehl remained in the military and in 1947 was commissioned into the new U.S. Air Force. He retired as a Colonel in 1964.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster
Purple Heart
Air Medal with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster
Presidential Unit Citation with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster
American Defense Service Medal
American Campaign Medal
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with 4 Bronze Stars
World War II Victory Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Air Force Longevity Service Award
Command Pilot Badge

Distinguished Service Cross Citation Synopsis (1st of 2 Awards)

Captain (Air Corps) John H. Diehl, Jr., 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 B-24 Heavy Bomber in the 68th Bombardment Squadron, 44th Bombardment Group (H), NINTH Air Force (Attached), while participating in a bombing mission on 1 August 1943, against the Ploesti Oil Refineries in Rumania. During a long and hazardous attack against a vital enemy oil installation made at low-altitude by a formation of B-24 type aircraft, Captain Diehl flew through heavy enemy fire against impossible odds, and despite the death of one of his gunners continued on until he brought his crew safely back to base. The personal courage and zealous devotion to duty displayed by Captain Diehl on this occasion, even when confronted with practically certain destruction, exemplified the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 9th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.

General Orders: Headquarters, Ninth U.S. Army Air Force, General Orders No. 90 (1943)

Distinguished Service Cross Citation Synopsis (2nd of 2 Awards)

Captain (Air Corps) John H. Diehl, Jr., United States Army Air Forces, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a B-25 Bomber, while participating in a bombing mission against enemy targets during World War II. The personal courage and zealous devotion to duty displayed by Captain Diehl on this occasion have upheld the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.

Death and Burial

Colonel John Henry Diehl, Jr. died on 23 November 1981. He is buried at the Santa Fe National Cemetery in Santa Fe, Santa Fe County, NM, in Plot: 4, 889.

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