Jackson County IA Archives Military Records.....Tompkins, Capt. George W. October 27, 1944
WWII 15th Air Force
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Ken Wright wright@prestontel.com April 30, 2010, 12:39 pm

Awarded Distinguished Flying Cross
Jackson Sentinel, Maquoketa, Iowa, October 27, 1944

Capt. Geo. W. Tompkins Awarded Distinguished Flying Cross

15th AAF IN ITALY-
Capt. George W. Tompkins, son of Mr. and Mrs. Joe Tompkins, 317 West Pleasant 
Street, Maquoketa, Iowa, has been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for 
extraordinary achievement in aerial combat. Capt. Tompkins, 15th Air Force 
Liberator pilot successfully brought his damaged bomber home from Germany 
after twice being shot up by flak. The formation was just turning on the 
bombing run when flak shot out one engine. The Liberator staggered, but Capt. 
Tompkins was able to keep it in formation long enough to drop his bombs on the 
aircraft factory. The group was in the rally when more flak hit the rudder 
controls, forcing Tompkins to fall out of formation. He brought the bomber 
under control after leaving the group and started limping home alone with one 
engine out and another drawing only half power. They successfully skirted the 
enemy flak and fighter areas and were just taking a deep breath when more flak 
began coming up from the coast of Yugo-Slavia. The flak hit another engine 
starting a bad oil leak that left them with only one engine drawing full 
power. But Tompkins skirted the hills of Italy and set the bomber down in a 
difficult landing.

Capt. Tompkins entered the Air Force in 1942 and joined his present group in 
1943 for combat training. He came to Italy several months ago and recently 
flew his 50th combat mission for the Liberator group commanded by Lt. Col. 
John P. Tomhave, Montevideo, Minnesota. Capt Tompkins now wears the 
Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters. Capt. 
Tompkins is now home on furlough, having arrived early this week.


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