This Military Service Page was created/owned by
SSgt Robert Bruce McClelland, Jr.
to remember
Bertrandias, Victor Emile, Maj Gen USAF(Ret).
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Contact Info
Home Town Oakland/San Francisco, California
Last Address Los Angeles, California
Date of Passing Mar 18, 1961
Location of Interment Arlington National Cemetery (VLM) - Arlington, Virginia
It is sure that he flew quite a few different types of aircraft but specific evidence can only be found for 2. He was credited with destroying 1 enemy aircraft while manning a B-24 gunner's position in 1943. He also was a vice-president of Douglas Aircraft Co. while a reservist.
Some sources say that he was born May 14, 1893 instead of 1894.
Citation of his Soldier's Medal: Awarded for actions during World War II
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Soldier's Medal to Major General Victor E. Bertrandias (ASN: 0-267231/A), United States Army Air Forces, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy, on 31 July 1945 while participating in aerial flight from Mather Field, California to Okinawa. A member of the crew accidentally discharged a Very rocket pistol within the cockpit of the B-17G type aircraft and the rocket ricocheted from the pilot's compartment to the navigator's compartment below. Major General Bertrandias, with complete disregard for his personal safety, dove from the co-pilot's seat into the navigator's compartment, called for a fire extinguisher and in the meantime beat at the burning rocket flare with a map which had been on his lap. He pushed the still burning rocket through the bottom of the compartment and it fell in two pieces to the ocean below. By localizing the signal flare, he prevented spread of the fire and further damage to the aircraft. Oxygen bottles and gasoline lines were within inches of the burning rocket. Major General Bertrandias injured his knee and groin in the act. Once the fire had been extinguished and a careful check made of the airplane, he ordered the flight to continue. Major General Bertrandias' quick thinking and prompt action undoubtedly saved the aircraft and all aboard from instantaneous death from explosion. His courage and heroism are in the highest traditions of the military service. General Orders: Headquarters, 8th Air Force, General Orders No. 16 (August 21, 1945)
