WWII News Clippings 08

CLIFFSIDE BOY GETS CITATION

Don W. Splawn Awarded Air Medal For Heroism

Forest City Courier, April 27, 1944

CLIFFSIDE – Don Wyeth Splawn, AOM 2/c, USNR, a Cliffside boy, has been awarded the Air Medal and received a citation for heroism and meritorious performance of duty during the battle of the Bay of Biscay.

He volunteered and went into service August 10, 1942.  He trained at Norfolk, Memphis, Tenn., and Pensacola, Fla.  He attended mechanical school at Memphis and was made a third class petty officer.

He went to a gunnery school at Pensacola and had additional training at Cherry Point, N. C.  He was stationed at Bermuda for two months, and went overseas in September, 1943, and has been stationed in England. He is 22 years old and graduated from Cliffside High School in 1939. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. D. Curtis Splawn of Cliffside.  He is now a second class petty officer.

The citation reads as follows:

For outstanding heroism and meritorious performance of duty as a member of a combat air crew of a U. S. Navy Liberator bomber on December 28, 1943, during the battle of the Bay of Biscay.
The plane, despite poor flying conditions and in the face of intense anti-aircraft fire, made numerous bombing and strafing attacks upon an enemy force of destroyers causing damage.
The gallantry, teamwork and outstanding devotion to duty displayed by him during the attack were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.  Harold R. Stark, Admiral, U. S. Navy, Commander, U. S. Forces in Europe.

Researched and prepared by Don Bailey