Medal of Honor: John C. Morgan – World War II, July 28, 1943

"One Hand on the Yoke, the Other Holding Off Death"
John C. Morgan
Rank: Second Lieutenant
Conflict: World War II
Unit: 326th Bombardment Squadron, 92nd Bombardment Group (Heavy), U.S. Army Air Forces
Date of Action: July 28, 1943
Location: Over enemy-occupied Europe

Summary of Action:
High over Nazi-occupied Europe on July 28, 1943, the B-17 Flying Fortress named Ruthie II was on a critical bombing mission when all hell broke loose. A swarm of German fighters descended, battering the aircraft with a brutal barrage of cannon and machine-gun fire. The oxygen system was destroyed, the intercom shattered, and several gunners were rendered unconscious from lack of oxygen. A cannon shell tore through the cockpit, splintering the windshield—and a .303 caliber round smashed into the pilot’s skull, leaving him semi-conscious and crazed. He collapsed across the control yoke, clamping onto it with death-grip strength.

In the co-pilot’s seat sat 2nd Lt. John C. Morgan, a Texas-born volunteer who had enlisted from London. As the Fortress plummeted, Morgan fought for control—one hand on the controls, the other wrestling the deranged pilot away from the yoke. With no communication and believing many of the crew were either dead or had bailed out, Morgan made a decision few would have dared: continue the mission, alone, to protect anyone who might still be alive aboard.

For two full hours, Morgan flew the massive bomber with only one hand, steering with brute force while fending off the pilot’s violent thrashing. He stayed in formation, brought Ruthie II to the target over occupied Europe, and dropped the bomb load with deadly precision. Only then did the navigator finally enter the cockpit to help subdue the wounded pilot.

Morgan’s iron resolve and impossible courage not only saved the aircraft and any surviving crew but ensured the success of a critical bombing run deep in enemy territory. His gallantry under fire remains one of the most astonishing feats in the history of American aerial combat.

Medal of Honor Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty, while participating on a bombing mission over enemy-occupied continental Europe, 28 July 1943. Prior to reaching the German coast on the way to the target, the B17 airplane in which 2d Lt. Morgan was serving as copilot was attacked by a large force of enemy fighters, during which the oxygen system to the tail, waist, and radio gun positions was knocked out. A frontal attack placed a cannon shell through the windshield, totally shattering it, and the pilot’s skull was split open by a .303 caliber shell, leaving him in a crazed condition. The pilot fell over the steering wheel, tightly clamping his arms around it. 2d Lt. Morgan at once grasped the controls from his side and, by sheer strength, pulled the airplane back into formation despite the frantic struggles of the semiconscious pilot. The interphone had been destroyed, rendering it impossible to call for help. At this time the top turret gunner fell to the floor and down through the hatch with his arm shot off at the shoulder and a gaping wound in his side. The waist, tail, and radio gunners had lost consciousness from lack of oxygen and, hearing no fire from their guns, the copilot believed they had bailed out. The wounded pilot still offered desperate resistance in his crazed attempts to fly the airplane. There remained the prospect of flying to and over the target and back to a friendly base wholly unassisted. In the face of this desperate situation, 2d Lt. Officer Morgan made his decision to continue the flight and protect any members of the crew who might still be in the ship and for 2 hours he flew in formation with one hand at the controls and the other holding off the struggling pilot before the navigator entered the steering compartment and relieved the situation. The miraculous and heroic performance of 2d Lt. Morgan on this occasion resulted in the successful completion of a vital bombing mission and the safe return of his airplane and crew.