Charles Koman
Paper Collection
Submitted by the Koman family
Paper Collection
Submitted by the Koman family
Legion of Merit Awarded Local Soldier in Kansas
Charles Koman Given Medal For Outstanding Work
In Airplane Maintenance Overseas
Charles Koman Given Medal For Outstanding Work
In Airplane Maintenance Overseas
The Legion of Merit, fourth highest decoration conferred by the United States War Department upon its battle heroes, caught up with Master Sergeant Charles Koman of 320 East Pike street, at Strother Field, Kans. recently when along with many other medals and Oak Leaf clusters to medals it was presented by Colonel Donald E. Meade, commanding officer, to the men who earned them overseas. The Legion of Merit for Koman was authorized seven months ago, but had just been received at this 72d Fighter Wing base of the
Second Air Force. Master Sergeant Koman, who served 22 months in Ireland, England, Africa, Sicily and Italy, won the Legion of Merit by his outstanding work in airplane maintenance. His citation as read by Capt. George N. Rood, adjutant, at the presentation ceremony Saturday, follows: "For exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services in Tunisia, Sicily, and Italy, from 23 December 1942 to 2 February 1944. Confronted with the lack of sufficient technical supplies, proper maintenance equipment, and trained personnel, he was instrumental in keeping the maximum number of aircraft of his squadron in operating condition. To facilitate operations at advanced bases prior to the arrival of his unit's aircraft at forward fields, Master Sergeant Koman headed advanced maintenance echelons to assure facilities for continuous operations. His exceptional fidelity and outstanding achievements in a
highly technical phase of the prosecution of the war effort reflect great credit upon himself and the armed forces of the United States." Master Sergeant Koman, who has been in the armed forces since 1931, is a brother of Andrew Koman and Michael Koman of Canonsburg, and of John Koman and Steven Koman of Ambridge.
Second Air Force. Master Sergeant Koman, who served 22 months in Ireland, England, Africa, Sicily and Italy, won the Legion of Merit by his outstanding work in airplane maintenance. His citation as read by Capt. George N. Rood, adjutant, at the presentation ceremony Saturday, follows: "For exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services in Tunisia, Sicily, and Italy, from 23 December 1942 to 2 February 1944. Confronted with the lack of sufficient technical supplies, proper maintenance equipment, and trained personnel, he was instrumental in keeping the maximum number of aircraft of his squadron in operating condition. To facilitate operations at advanced bases prior to the arrival of his unit's aircraft at forward fields, Master Sergeant Koman headed advanced maintenance echelons to assure facilities for continuous operations. His exceptional fidelity and outstanding achievements in a
highly technical phase of the prosecution of the war effort reflect great credit upon himself and the armed forces of the United States." Master Sergeant Koman, who has been in the armed forces since 1931, is a brother of Andrew Koman and Michael Koman of Canonsburg, and of John Koman and Steven Koman of Ambridge.
HEADQUARTERS MEDITERRANEAN ALLIED AIR FORCES
Public Relations Section - SPECIAL HANDOUT - 31 March 1944
For Release with Communiqué
Public Relations Section - SPECIAL HANDOUT - 31 March 1944
For Release with Communiqué
P-38 Lightnings of the 82nd. Lighter Group, top scoring American Fighter outfit in the Mediterranean Theater, Thursday knocked down five enemy planes while escorting heavy bombers of the 15th AAP to SOFIA, to bringing the group's total of victories to 402. 2nd Lt. Alfred F. Collins, 95 Greenwood Ave. Rumford, R. I, received credit for destroying the 400th enemy plane, Commanded by Lt. Col William P. Litton, Shaw, Miss., the Group has flown more than 10,700 sorties. In addition to its 402 victories the organization is credited with damaging many more enemy planes in the air and on the ground. Nine merchant ships have been sunk and over fifty enemy locomotives destroyed by the group when functioning as a fighter-bomber outfit, The 82nds scored its first two aerial victories on Dec. 23 1942, on the first day on a flight from England to Africa. The group's planes led the famous low-level strafing attack on the Foggia airdrome and it was the first Allied, fighter group to land on and operate from the Salerno beachhead, A highlight of the group's participation in the Tunisian campaign came on April 11, 1943 when its pilots shot down 32 Axis planes attempting to deliver supplies to
the enemy, Lt, Col. 'William E. Covington, Rockingham, North Carolina was the group's first commander. Following him were Lt. Col. John W. Weltman, 705 North Milton St., Baltimore, MD., a pioneer in Lightning bomber tactics, the North African Theater; Lt. Col. Ernest C. Young, Stillwater, Okla., known for his skip-bombing attacks on the Pantelleria underground hangers, and the late Lt, Col. George M. Mac Nicol, Memphis, Tenn., leader of the Foggia Strafing mission, who was succeeded by the present commander.
Commending the 82nd's personnel Thursday, Lt. Col. Litton declared; "The record speaks for itself. Aggressive pilots, plus capable mechanics who have kept the planes flying, have made our Group what it is."
the enemy, Lt, Col. 'William E. Covington, Rockingham, North Carolina was the group's first commander. Following him were Lt. Col. John W. Weltman, 705 North Milton St., Baltimore, MD., a pioneer in Lightning bomber tactics, the North African Theater; Lt. Col. Ernest C. Young, Stillwater, Okla., known for his skip-bombing attacks on the Pantelleria underground hangers, and the late Lt, Col. George M. Mac Nicol, Memphis, Tenn., leader of the Foggia Strafing mission, who was succeeded by the present commander.
Commending the 82nd's personnel Thursday, Lt. Col. Litton declared; "The record speaks for itself. Aggressive pilots, plus capable mechanics who have kept the planes flying, have made our Group what it is."