This Military Service Page was created/owned by
SSgt Robert Bruce McClelland, Jr.
to remember
Bankey, Ernest Edward, Jr., Col USAF(Ret).
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Contact Info
Home Town Wilberforce, Ohio
Last Address Newbury Park, California
Date of Passing Jun 15, 2009
Location of Interment Conejo Mountain Memorial Park - Camarillo, California
He was credited with a total of 9.5 enemy aircraft destroyed in the air, 2 probables, and 8 destroyed on the ground during WWII. On Dec 27, 1944 he became an ace-in-a-day and also sent his famous (oft-quoted but usually paraphrased) transmission, "This is Sunkist Two. I've got 50 Jerries cornered over Bonn. Will share same with any P-51s in the vicinity. See me at smokestack level. Over and out."
Synopsis of his DSC citation:
Awarded for actions during World War II
(Citation Needed) - SYNOPSIS: Captain (Air Corps) Ernest E. Bankey, Jr. (ASN: 0-752095), 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-51 Fighter Airplane assigned to Headquarters, 364th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces on 27 December 1944, in support of beleaguered Allied ground forces during the Battle of the Bulge. On this date Captain Bankey became an ACE in a single day, shooting down FIVE enemy aircraft and assisting in the destruction of another. Captain Bankey'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. 4 (1945)
WWII - European Theater of Operations/Rhineland Campaign (1944-45)
From Month/Year
September / 1944
To Month/Year
March / 1945
Description Attempting to outflank the Siegfried Line, the Allies tried an airborne attack on Holland on 17 September 1944. But the operation failed, and the enemy was able to strengthen his defensive line from Holland to Switzerland. Little progress was made on the ground, but the aerial attacks on strategic targets continued. Then, having regained the initiative after defeating a German offensive in the Ardennes in December 1944, the Allies drove through to the Rhine, establishing a bridgehead across the river at Remagen.