Distinguished Flying Cross To Gilbert Meyers
Gilbert L. Meyers, son of Mrs. Elizabeth Meyers, 1715 East Galer, Seattle – 2 – Washington, has been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for outstanding and meritorious achievements while participating in aerial flight against the enemy in the European theater of operations between March 14, 1944 and May 1, 1944. In his capacity as group commander, Lieutenant Colonel Meyers has served with unusual distinction, and has personally led his group in numerous fighter missions involving deep penetration into enemy-occupied territory. Despite unfavorable weather conditions and hazards of attack from enemy fighter craft and from formidable ground installations, Lieutenant Colonel Meyers, by his fearless leadership, outstanding aerial proficiency, and superior employment of tactical knowledge, has been largely responsible for that espirt de corps and well-coordinated combat teamwork which has been an integral factor in the remarkable record of achievement of the group he so ably commands.
The award was made by command of Major General Brereton. Since receiving the award, Gilbert Meyers has been promoted to a colonel in the U. S. army air corps. Besides the distinguished flying cross, he has received the Air Medal, two oak leaf clusters.
The Meyers family formerly resided in Milford and Gilbert attended school here. Many friends will be pleased to learn of his splendid achievements.
An Associated Press dispatch in the daily papers recently mentioned Col. Meyers as having reprimanded a Youngstown, O., flyer for bombing the wrong target in a (sic) European raid. The youth reported that he had bombed a bridge, while on a mission, although it was not a target. The bridge was a double railroad structure. Colonel Meyers was also reported to have been heard by a local person on an English radio hook-up Sunday.
Source: The Milford Mail, Milford, Iowa, Thursday, June 01, 1944, Page 1
***Further Research:
Gilbert Louis Meyers was born Mar. 26, 1917 to Louis Frank and Elizabeth Mary Schwaller Meyers. He died Oct. 31, 1974 and is buried in Florence National Cemetery, Florence, SC.
Major General Meyers served the U.S. Air Force in World War II, Korea and Vietnam. He entered service in 1936 as an Infantry private, earning his pilot’s wings two years later. He retired in 1977 as a Major General.
Source: ancestry.com
