Medal of Honor: William A. Shomo – World War II – Philippines – January 1945

Name: William A. Shomo
Rank: Major
Organization: U.S. Army Air Corps
Unit: 82d Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron
Aircraft: P-51 Mustang
Place: Over Luzon, Philippine Islands
Entered Service At: Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania
Born: Jeannette, Pennsylvania

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Summary of Action

On 11 January 1945, Major William A. Shomo was leading a two-aircraft flight on an armed photographic reconnaissance and strafing mission against enemy airfields at Aparri and Laoag on Luzon. While en route to the objective, he sighted a Japanese twin-engine bomber flying approximately 2,500 feet above his position, heavily escorted by twelve enemy fighters.

Despite being outnumbered more than six to one, Major Shomo immediately ordered an attack. Executing a climbing turn, he and his wingman closed with the enemy formation. Major Shomo struck first, destroying the lead fighter of the third element, which exploded in midair. He then shifted his attack to the second element and shot down another fighter in flames.

As the enemy attempted to reorganize and counterattack, Major Shomo maneuvered aggressively through the formation, destroying a third fighter before diving beneath the bomber and firing a decisive burst into its underside, sending it crashing to the ground. Pulling out of the attack, he encountered another enemy fighter head-on and destroyed it instantly.

Continuing the engagement at low altitude, Major Shomo pressed his attack against the remaining fighters. He destroyed the lead aircraft of the first element, then pursued another enemy fighter down to approximately 300 feet, where a single burst sent it crashing in flames. By the end of the engagement, Major Shomo had personally destroyed seven enemy aircraft. His wingman accounted for three more, while the remaining enemy fighters fled into cloud cover.

Major Shomo’s aggressive leadership, exceptional flying skill, and fearless decision to attack a vastly superior force resulted in one of the most decisive aerial victories of the Pacific War.

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Medal of Honor Citation

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Maj. Shomo was lead pilot of a flight of 2 fighter planes charged with an armed photographic and strafing mission against the Aparri and Laoag airdromes. While en route to the objective, he observed an enemy twin-engine bomber, protected by 12 fighters, flying about 2,500 feet above him and in the opposite direction. Although the odds were 13 to 2, Maj. Shomo immediately ordered an attack. Accompanied by his wingman he closed on the enemy formation in a climbing turn and scored hits on the leading plane of the third element, which exploded in midair. Maj. Shomo then attacked the second element from the left side of the formation and shot another fighter down in flames. When the enemy formed for counterattack, Maj. Shomo moved to the other side of the formation and hit a third fighter which exploded and fell. Diving below the bomber he put a burst into its underside and it crashed and burned. Pulling up from this pass he encountered a fifth plane firing head on and destroyed it. He next dived upon the first element and shot down the lead plane; then diving to 300 feet in pursuit of another fighter he caught it with his initial burst and it crashed in flames. During this action his wingman had shot down 3 planes, while the 3 remaining enemy fighters had fled into a cloudbank and escaped. Maj. Shomo’s extraordinary gallantry and intrepidity in attacking such a far superior force and destroying 7 enemy aircraft in one action is unparalleled in the southwest Pacific area.