Sidney Allen Pear
Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army Air Forces

On 18 August 1943, then-Second Lieutenant Sidney Allen Pear was serving as Navigator on a B-24 Liberator Bomber in the 564th Bombardment Squadron, 389th Bombardment Group (Heavy), Ninth Air Force (Attached), U.S. Army Air Forces.

On that day, 2LT Pear’s unit was in action against German forces while participating in a bombing mission 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, Navigator 2LT Pear acquitted himself with great skill as his B-24D Liberator bomber (SN 42-40753) nicknamed 'Ole Kickapoo,' flew through one of the most heavily defended areas of Europe. When 'Ole Kickapoo' was severely damaged, and, despite the fact that gasoline was streaming from one of its damaged fuel tanks, continued on, in the face of almost insurmountable odds. Over the blazing target, 2LT Pear, with heroic calm and unflinching loyalty, remained steadfast at his station and bombed his target. When the pilot, 2LT Herbert Hughes, tried to land the plane, it crashed and burned. 2LT Pear survived the crash only to die of his wounds 5 days later in Campina Hospital in Campina, Romania. 2LT Pear’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
American Campaign Medal
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal
World War II Victory Medal
Army Air Force Navigator Badge

Distinguished Service Cross Citation (Synopsis)

Second Lieutenant (Air Corps) Sidney A. Pear (ASN: 0-797379), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Navigator on a B-24 Heavy Bomber in the 564th Bombardment Squadron, 389th 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, Second Lieutenant Pear, in his capacity as Navigator acquitted himself with great skill as his aircraft flew through one of the most heavily defended areas of Europe. When the plane on which he served was severely damaged, and, despite the fact that gasoline was streaming from one of its damaged fuel tanks, continued on, in the face of almost insurmountable odds. Over the blazing target, Lieutenant Pear, with heroic calm and unflinching loyalty, remained steadfast at his station. The personal courage and zealous devotion to duty displayed by Second Lieutenant Pear on this occasion, at the cost of his life, 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.

Headquarters, Ninth U.S. Army Air Force, General Orders No. 89 (1943)

Burial

The location of Second Lieutenant Sidney Allen Pear's burial is unknown, but believed to be in New Jersey.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/45408593/sidney-allen-pear