WHISNER William Thomas "Bill" (Colonel) O-798190. O-39455. 16324A

 

1939 / 45 : ETO

Distinguished Service Cross (One oak leaf cluster)
Silver Star
Distinguished Flying Cross (3 oak leaf clusters)
Air Medal (12 oak leaf clusters)

1952 / 53 : Corée

Distinguished Service Cross
Bronze Star
Distinguished Flying Cross

Après Guerre

Commendation Medal

 

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to William T. Whisner, Jr. (0-798190/16324A), Captain (Air Corps), U.S. Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-51 Fighter Airplane in the 487th Fighter Squadron, 352d Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces on 21 November 1944, during an air mission in the European Theater of Operations. On that date, Captain Whisner led a flight of P-51s on an escort mission to Merseburg, Germany. As the bombers left their target, a large formation of enemy fighters struck. In a linked series of attacks, Whisner shot down four FW- 190s in the cover flight and probably got another. With no more than two -190s left in the cover flight he had attacked, Whisner turned his attention to the main enemy formation, exploding an ME-190 that had not dropped its belly tank. Evading three -190s on his tail, he shot down another that was closing on one of his pilots. Whisner was credited with five FW-190s and two probables that day. His score later was revised by the Air Force Historical Research Center to six destroyed, making that day one of the best for any USAAF pilot in the skies over Europe. Captain Whisner's unquestionable valor in aerial combat is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 8th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.

Headquarters: U.S. Strategic Forces in Europe, General Orders No. 9 (1945)

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Service Cross to William T. Whisner, Jr. (0-798190/16324A), Captain (Air Corps), U.S. Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-51 Fighter Airplane in the 487th Fighter Squadron, 352d Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces on 1 January 1945, during the Luftwaffe's desperate mass strike on airfields in Belgium and Northern France. On that date, the 352d Group was operating temporarily from a field in Belgium under IX Tactical Air Command. In the ensuing battle, fought at low altitude and before the 487th had time to form up, Captain Whisner shot down an ME-90, then was hit by 20-mm. fire. With his windshield and canopy covered by oil and one aileron damaged, Captain Whisner stayed in the fight, shooting down two more ME-190s and an ME-109. Captain Whisner's unquestionable valor in aerial combat is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 8th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.

Headquarters: U.S. Strategic Forces in Europe, General Orders No. 34 (1945)
Personal Awards: 2@ Distinguished Service Crosses (WWII), Distinguished Service Cross (Korea)

The President of the United States of America, under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Service Cross to Major William T. Whisner, Jr., United States Air Force, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as a Pilot with the 25th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 4th Fighter Interceptor Group, FIFTH Air Force, in action against enemy forces in the Republic of Korea on 23 February 1952. On that date Major Whisner destroyed an enemy MIG-15 aircraft attacking an F-86 piloted by a member of his own group. Major Whisner flew to the immediate aid of the pilot in the face of the enemy's great numerical superiority. With an expertly executed maneuver, he attacked the MIG-15 which was pressing full attack on the friendly aircraft and forced the enemy to break away. As Major Whisner bore in to deter the enemy action, another MIG-15 swept down on his tail and began lobbing shells at his aircraft. In spite of the imminent danger of losing his own life, Major Whisner continued to force the first MIG-15 to break away, and, in the face of overwhelming odds, destroyed the enemy aircraft. The downed MIG-15 raised Major Whisner's record of enemy aircraft destruction to five and one-half and established him as the seventh jet ace of the Korean campaign.

General Orders: Headquarters, 8th Air Force, General Orders No. 470 (July 27, 1944)