Jack R. Peres.
Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army

Jack R. Peres enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps as an Aviation Cadet on 31 December 1940 at March Field, Riverside, CA.

On 19 February 1942, Second Lieutenant Jack R. Peres was serving as Pilot of a P-40 Warhawk Fighter Plane in the 33rd Pursuit Squadron (Provisional), 8th Pursuit Group, Far East Air Force, U.S. Army Air Forces.

On that day, 2LT Peres’ unit was in aerial combat against Japanese forces during an air mission near Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia. 2LT Peres was piloting one of 10 pursuit airplanes on a ferry flight from Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia to Koepang, Timor, Netherlands East Indies, forced to turn back by bad weather. When the flight arrived back at Darwin, and before refueling could be completed, the approach of Japanese aircraft was reported. The approaching enemy aircraft, consisting of about 60 high-level bombers, 36 fighters and 18 dive-bombers, was intercepted by members of the 33rd Pursuit Squadron. Despite the overwhelming numerical superiority of the Japanese aircraft, 2LT Peres bravely attacked the enemy formation, inflicting heavy damage, and continued the attack until his airplane was shot down. 2LT Peres’ heroic actions 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 Defense Service Medal
American Campaign Medal
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with Bronze Star
World War II Victory Medal
Army Air Force Pilot Badge

Distinguished Service Cross Citation

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 Second Lieutenant (Air Corps) Jack R. Peres (ASN: 0-416707), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-40 Fighter Airplane in the 33d Pursuit Squadron (Provisional), 8th Pursuit Group, FAR EAST Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces on 19 February 1942, during an air mission near Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia. Second Lieutenant Peres was Pilot of one of a flight of ten pursuit airplanes forced by unfavorable weather to turn back from a ferry flight from Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia to Koepang, Timor, Netherlands East Indies. When the flight arrived at Darwin, and before refueling could be effected, information of the approach of an enemy formation was received. When the approaching enemy, consisting of approximately sixty high-level bombers, thirty-six fighters and eighteen dive-bombers was intercepted, Lieutenant Peres, in spite of the tremendous odds, courageously attacked the enemy formation, inflicting heavy damage, and continued the attack until his airplane was shot down. Second Lieutenant Peres' unquestionable valor in aerial combat, at the cost of his life, is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the Far East Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.

Headquarters, South West Pacific Area, General Orders No. 27 (1942)

Burial

Second Lieutenant Jack R. Peres is buried at Santa Barbara Cemetery in Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara County, CA.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/14270440/jack-r-peres