This Military Service Page was created/owned by
SSgt Robert Bruce McClelland, Jr.
to remember
Koon, Ralph Edward, Brig Gen USAF(Ret).
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Contact Info
Home Town Bolivar, Missouri
Last Address Fort Walton Beach, Florida
Date of Passing Nov 20, 1989
Official Badges
Unofficial Badges
Additional Information
Last Known Activity:
He was cremated and his ashes were scattered under the Golden Gate Bridge.
His DSC citation:
(Other evidence shows that dates "16 November through 8 July 8, (sic) 1944" are incorrect.
They should be 16 Nov 1942 through 8 Jul 1943.)
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Colonel (Air Corps) Ralph Edward Koon (ASN: 0-17197), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a B-24 Heavy Bomber in the 90th Bombardment Group (H), FIFTH Air Force, while participating in bombing missions from 16 November 1943 through 8 July 8, 1944, against enemy targets in the Southwest Pacific Area. Colonel Koon displayed exceptional courage and daring leadership in leading units of his group in eighteen combat missions over this period. These included strikes against Rabaul, Wewak, Kavieng and Ambon. On 10 April 1943, he commanded a bomber on an individual strike mission against enemy shipping in Wewak Harbor. In the face of heavy and accurate anti-aircraft fire, a bombing run was made on a cargo vessel, and a direct hit and damaging near-miss was scored. His aircraft was badly damaged in this attack, and the hydraulic system shot out; nevertheless, a second run was made on another vessel, which was destroyed by two direct hits. Despite the intense anti-aircraft fire and the damaged condition of his airplane, which made a crash-landing inevitable, a third attack was made on a large ship. Although the bombs had been expended, three strafing runs were made at minimum altitude, leaving the vessel in flames. Colonel Koon's skill and heroism contributed substantially to the excellent combat record of his group.
General Orders: Headquarters, U.S. Army Forces in the Far East, General Orders No. 1 (1944)
Description The American Theater was a minor area of operations during World War II. This was mainly due to both North and South America's geographical separation from the central theaters of conflict in Europe and Asia. Thus, any threat by the Axis Powers to invade the mainland United States or other areas was considered negligible, allowing for American resources to be deployed in overseas theaters.
This article includes attacks on continental territory, extending 200 miles (320 km) into the ocean, which is today under the sovereignty of the United States, Canada, Mexico, and several other smaller states, but excludes military action involving the Danish territory of Greenland, the Hawaiian Islands, and the Aleutian Islands. The most well known battles in North America during World War II were the Attack on Pearl Harbor (the first attack on US soil since the Battle of Ambos Nogales), the Aleutian Islands Campaign, the Battle of the St. Lawrence, and the attacks on Newfoundland.