Silver Star Citation:

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Colonel Winton Whittier Marshall, United States Air Force, for gallantry in action in aerial combat over North Korea on 30 November 1951. While leading a squadron of twelve F-86 aircraft in the 335th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 4th Fighter-Interceptor Wing, Fifth Air Force, on a combat air patrol, he sighted nine TU-2 enemy bombers headed southward in the area of Namsi-Dong, North Korea, escorted by large numbers of fighter aircraft. Although realizing that the friendly forces were greatly outnumbered and were faced with intense and accurate cannon fire, Colonel Marshall displayed outstanding courage and tactical skill in leading his squadron in an immediate and aggressive attack on the enemy bombers. He coolly and skillfully deployed his forces to obtain the maximum tactical advantage and then led them in on the initial attack, during which he personally destroyed one TU-2 bomber. Expertly regrouping his force, he launched successive and continuing attacks affording the enemy no opportunity to reorganize. On the third pass, his F-86 sustained major damage from two direct hits by enemy cannon fire. One hit was in the leading edge of the left wing, the projectile exploding in the area of the fuel cell. The second projectile exploded against the head rest, destroying the canopy completely and badly damaging his parachute. He received numerous lacerations about the face, head, neck and back. Partially stunned from the force of the second explosion he recovered control of his aircraft but found himself separated from his flight. Although bleeding profusely and suffering from severe shock and exposure to sub-freezing temperatures and despite the sluggish reactions of his damaged aircraft, he rejoined his comrades in battle, against overwhelming odds. Totally disregarding his own safety, Colonel Marshall continued to carry the offensive, and largely through his own inspiring leadership and heroic personal example, the enemy formation was completely disrupted. When he has expended his ammunition and was low on fuel, he was forced to break off the attack and return to home base. Despite his wounds and the adverse flight conditions imposed by loss of his canopy, complicated further by the fact that he was without radio communication or radio compass as a result of battle damage, he managed to land his F-86 safely. At the time of this deed, Colonel Marshall had flown a total of 64 missions in the Korean campaign. The gallantry and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Colonel Marshall in this action of high personal courage reflected great credit upon himself, the Far East Air Forces, and the United States Air Force.

Arlington National Cemetery

WINTON WHITTIER MARSHALL's Profile Picture

Grave marker image for (WINTON MARSHALL).

WINTON WHITTIER MARSHALL

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