Medal of Honor: Frederick W. Castle – World War II – Air Mission – Germany – December 1944

Name: Frederick W. Castle
Rank: Brigadier General
Organization: U.S. Army Air Corps
Position: Assistant Commander, 4th Bomber Wing
Place: Germany
Entered Service At: Mountain Lake, New Jersey
Born: 14 October 1908 – Manila, Philippine Islands

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Summary of Action

On 24 December 1944, Brigadier General Frederick W. Castle served as air commander and leader of a massive Allied strike force of more than 2,000 heavy bombers attacking German airfields. While en route to the target, the failure of one engine forced him to relinquish his position at the head of the formation.

Refusing to jettison his bomb load for fear of endangering friendly troops below, General Castle’s unescorted B-17 Flying Fortress lagged behind and was savagely attacked by enemy fighters. Cannon fire tore into the aircraft, ignited fires in multiple engines, damaged the oxygen system, and wounded members of the crew. As the aircraft became fatally damaged and explosion imminent, General Castle ordered the crew to bail out.

With complete disregard for his own safety, he remained alone at the controls to ensure every crewmember had time to escape. Moments later, additional enemy fire detonated fuel tanks in the wing, sending the bomber plunging earthward. General Castle perished in the crash, having given his life so others might live.

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Medal of Honor Citation

He was air commander and leader of more than 2,000 heavy bombers in a strike against German airfields on 24 December 1944. En route to the target, the failure of 1 engine forced him to relinquish his place at the head of the formation. In order not to endanger friendly troops on the ground below, he refused to jettison his bombs to gain speed maneuverability. His lagging, unescorted aircraft became the target of numerous enemy fighters which ripped the left wing with cannon shells, set the oxygen system afire, and wounded 2 members of the crew. Repeated attacks started fires in 2 engines, leaving the Flying Fortress in imminent danger of exploding. Realizing the hopelessness of the situation, the bail-out order was given. Without regard for his personal safety he gallantly remained alone at the controls to afford all other crewmembers an opportunity to escape. Still another attack exploded gasoline tanks in the right wing, and the bomber plunged earthward, carrying Gen. Castle to his death. His intrepidity and willing sacrifice of his life to save members of the crew were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service.