GALLANT SERVICE

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIV, Issue 145, 16 December 1942, Page 3

GALLANT SERVICE

UNITED STATES AIRMAN

DECORATED

(P.A.) AUCKLAND, December 15.

One of the innumerable American heroes of the Pacific war was presented today with high United States decorations for gallant service. He was Captain Carl E Wuertele. United States Army Air Corps, the first member of the United States army forces m the South Pacific area to receive gallantry medals while in New Zealand. Captain Wuertele was awarded the Silver Star and Purple Heart by order of Major General M. Harmon. Commanding General, United States' Army Forces in the South Pacific area. At his direction the presentation of the two medals was made by Colonel A. J Evans, General Staff Corps, acting as commander of the United States Army Forces in New Zealand, and the citations were read by Lieutenant-ColoneJ J O Moore, Adjutant-General's Department, Adjutant-General for the United States Army Forces, in New Zealand. The citation for the award ol the Silver Star, which is awarded to each person, officer, or enlisted man who is cited for gallantry In action when such citation does not merit the Congressional Medal ol Honour or the Distinguished Service Cross, stated that at the time of his exploit Captain Wuertele was engaged on a routine mission. He was attacked by two enemy fighters, both of which were shot down within ten minutes by the fire of his gunners. Later he attacked two enemy cargo ships, making run after run over them at a low altitude while his crew fired hundreds of rounds of armourpiercing and incendiary shells on each run over the targets, finally being rewarded by the sight of smoke pouring from one ship and of the other drifting helplessly on the water with its control-room plainly shattered. On his return flight to his base Captain Wuertele was seriously wounded when heavy fire was encountered from enemy shore batteries, but. with his left foot almost severed at the ankle and in severe pain, his only thought was for the welfare of his damaged plane and the safety of his crew The award of the Purple Heart was made for wounds received in action on the same mission.