This Military Service Page was created/owned by
SSgt Robert Bruce McClelland, Jr.
to remember
Hedlund, Earl Clifford, Lt Gen USAF(Ret).
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Contact Info
Home Town Chappell, Nebraska
Date of Passing Jul 21, 2002
Location of Interment Arlington National Cemetery (VLM) - Arlington, Virginia
He flew P-38 combat missions in the Aleutians and in Europe and was credited with 1 shared aerial victory plus the destruction of 15 enemy aircraft on the ground.
He was shot down and made a POW Apr 18, 1945 but escaped Apr 29 and made it back to allied lines.
He retired from the AF Oct 1, 1973.
(Citation Needed) - SYNOPSIS: Major (Air Corps) Earl Clifford Hedlund (ASN: 0-362396), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-38 Fighter Airplane in the 79th Fighter Squadron, 20th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces on 23 August 1944. Major Hedlund's unquestionable valor in aerial combat is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 8th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.
General Orders: Headquarters, U.S. Strategic Forces in Europe, General Orders No. 13 (1945)
Other Memories Van Nuys Metropolitan Arpt, CA, 11 Oct 1943; Palmdale AAFld, CA, 2 Jan-6 Feb 1944; Moreton, England, 12 Mar 1944; Neuilly, France, 6 Aug 1944; St Marceau, France, 2 Sep 1944; Peronne, France, 12 Sep 1944; Florennes, Belgium, 2 Oct 1944
