Medal of Honor, Ralph Cheli, World War II, August 18, 1943

Name: Ralph Cheli
War: World War II
Date: August 18, 1943

Summary of Action

On August 18, 1943, Maj. Ralph Cheli led his squadron of B-25 Mitchell bombers in a daring low-level attack on the heavily defended Dagua Airdrome near Wewak, New Guinea. Enemy interceptors concentrated their fire on Cheli’s aircraft, setting it ablaze well before reaching the target. Though he could have climbed to bail out and save himself, such an action would have thrown his formation into disarray and exposed them to devastating enemy fire.

Instead, Maj. Cheli pressed forward, guiding his men in a precise, coordinated assault while his own bomber burned around him. His squadron successfully unleashed a devastating bombardment that destroyed the Japanese installation. Only after ensuring the mission was completed did he order his wingman to assume command. Seconds later, Cheli’s stricken aircraft crashed into the sea, sealing his sacrifice but securing a decisive victory for his comrades.

Medal of Honor Citation

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action with the enemy. While Maj. Cheli was leading his squadron in a dive to attack the heavily defended Dagua Airdrome, intercepting enemy aircraft centered their fire on his plane, causing it to burst into flames while still 2 miles from the objective. His speed would have enabled him to gain necessary altitude to parachute to safety, but this action would have resulted in his formation becoming disorganized and exposed to the enemy. Although a crash was inevitable, he courageously elected to continue leading the attack in his blazing plane. From a minimum altitude, the squadron made a devastating bombing and strafing attack on the target. The mission completed, Maj. Cheli instructed his wingman to lead the formation and crashed into the sea.