1197:
with military operations against an armed enemy of the United
Nations while serving as Deputy Commander of the 18th Fighter-Bomber Wing, in action against enemy forces in the Republic of Korea on 6 April 1952. Upon completion of a normal tour with the 136th Fighter-Bomber Group, Colonel Halton was assigned as Deputy Commander of the 18th Fighter-Bomber Wing with specific instructions not to fly combat missions. Colonel Halton persisted in his desire to fly in combat, and made a special request to fly additional missions in order to improve the Group's combat effectiveness by his own example. Colonel Halton set such an example by masterfully demonstrating that F-51 type aircraft could successfully operate in jet combat zones without fighter-interceptor cover. He demonstrated great heroism and superior airmanship in leading his flight on a dive-bombing attack on rail lines near Sonchon, Korea. Even through being attacked by a MIG and intense ground fire, Colonel Halton completely disregarded personal safety, pressing a vicious attack on the rail lines. Although the flight was attacked by enemy jet aircraft and subjected to heavy ground fire, Colonel Halton's inspiring leadership was responsible for numerous rail outs by the four aircraft in his flight. Undaunted by the fact that the enemy was increasing his operations in that area, Colonel Halton then led a reconnaissance of the main supply route to Sinuiju. The result of this highly successful mission was measured by the boost in the morale of the pilots. Through his extraordinary heroism, exemplary leadership, and devotion to duty above and beyond that normally expected, Colonel Halton reflected great credit upon himself, the Far East Air Forces, and the United States Air Force.
1051:
842:
1002:
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1138:
958:
140:
1171:
1107:
941:
760:
1022:
818:
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774:
989:
398:
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747:
1101:
935:
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805:
798:
33:
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996:
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284:
433:. However, he persisted in his desire to fly combat missions, and made a special request to fly additional missions in order to improve 18th FBG's combat effectiveness, and on a mission on April 6, 1952, he showed that F-51s can successfully operate in jet combat zones without fighter-interceptor escort, by leading his flight on a dive-bombing attack on rail lines near
376:
He scored his last two aerial victories on
January 24 and March 18, 1945, During World War II, Halton was credited with the destruction of 10.5 enemy aircraft in aerial combat plus 1 shared destruction and 2 destroyed on the ground while strafing enemy airfields. While serving with the 352nd FG, he
1196:
The
President of the United States of America, under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Air Force) (Posthumously) to Colonel William Timothy Halton, United States Air Force, for extraordinary heroism in connection
445:
and intense ground fire, he pressed on his attack on the rail lines and disregarded his personal safety. Despite the attacks against his flight, Halton's flight was responsible for destroying numerous rail lines. He also led his flight in the reconnaissance of the main supply route to
465:
who were released from North Korean custody at the end of the war mentioned not having any contact with Halton. He was not seen at any known holding point, interrogation center, hospital, or permanent prisoner of war camp.
1580:
1590:
389:
in July 1945 and was appointed as commander of the 352nd
Fighter Group in September 1945. He left from active duty on March 26, 1946, but returned on July 5, 1946. He continued to serve in the newly created
429:, where it primarily flew interdiction missions against North Korean rail transportation. After a completion of a number of missions in his normal tour, he was appointed as the deputy commander of the
1560:
1555:
461:. On his first pass over the target, his F-51 was shot down by anti-aircraft fire. He was not seen to bail out his aircraft and his wingmen reported that the crash was not survivable.
330:. In April 1944, the 352nd FG converted from P-47 to P-51 Mustang, and Halton won't score additional aerial victories until November 2, 1944, when he shot a Bf 109 over
1206:
1570:
1009:
1600:
1545:
1129:
1605:
765:
482:
199:
1540:
948:
825:
207:
1395:
1575:
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353:
near Asch, Belgium. His biggest day came on
December 27, 1944, when he shot down four Bf 109s, including one shared destruction, at the southwest of
462:
1585:
1595:
1565:
1550:
271:
On August 18, 1941, he enlisted in the
Aviation Cadet Program of the U.S. Army Air Forces and on March 7, 1942, he was commissioned a
1480:
1114:
1211:
1056:
963:
357:, while leading his flight in an area patrol. On New Year's Day 1945, Halton led his flight of four P-51s that an attacked a
114:
1001:
233:
1143:
1027:
988:
410:
157:
1151:
1100:
934:
893:
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804:
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458:
1137:
886:
879:
872:
1157:
1123:
1041:
260:
102:
60:
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1074:
1067:
995:
977:
143:
119:
1050:
957:
790:
139:
940:
414:
339:
292:
171:
1455:
358:
335:
1312:
1106:
759:
1021:
817:
1535:
1530:
1370:
1088:
522:
319:
312:
1514:
In 2000 this award was made retroactive to all U.S. military personnel who served in the Korean War.
346:
296:
240:
153:
971:
430:
386:
350:
331:
161:
722:
Air Force
Historical Study 85: USAF Credits for the Destruction of Enemy Aircraft, World War II
318:
Flying P-47s, Halton scored his first aerial victory on
February 20, 1944, when he shot down a
1080:
847:
646:
536:
470:
366:
308:
272:
1287:
833:
397:
88:
76:
1035:
841:
773:
697:
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32:
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1013:
564:
454:
362:
354:
861:
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829:
418:
244:
216:
185:
1230:
1342:
1255:
779:
438:
426:
370:
236:
212:
203:
916:
899:
406:
300:
283:
248:
189:
342:. He shot down two more enemy aircraft on November 27 and December 26, 1944.
1427:
907:
555:
220:
349:, which started on December 16, the 487th FS was moved forward to airfield
651:
674:
559:
531:
447:
327:
583:
527:
478:
442:
323:
377:
flew P-47 and P-51s bearing the name "Slender, Tender & Tall".
291:
After completing P-47 Thunderbolt training, he was assigned to the
282:
84:
606:
359:
large formation of Fw 190s and Bf 109s that attempted to cripple
1581:
1591:
1169:
369:. For his heroism in the aerial battle, he was awarded the
473:. He is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the
243:
who was credited with shooting down 10.5 aircraft during
1561:
American military personnel killed in the Korean War
1556:
United States Army Air Forces pilots of World War II
307:, the unit was under the operational control of the
232:(July 17, 1917 – May 21, 1952) was a
910:with three silver and one bronze oak leaf clusters
195:
181:
167:
149:
134:
126:
108:
98:
67:
47:
39:
23:
469:His remains were never recovered and was declared
287:Halton's P-51 Mustang "Slender, Tender & Tall"
924:(second ribbon required for accoutrement spacing)
409:in 1950, Halton was assigned as commander of the
1207:List of World War II aces from the United States
1010:European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal
385:After the end of World War II, he promoted to
365:. In the ensuing battle, Halton shot down one
247:. He was killed in action in 1952, during the
457:to attack enemy artillery positions near the
8:
1130:Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation
450:, leading to the mission being successful.
441:. Even through being attacked by Communist
1371:"Encounter Reports of P-51 Mustang Pilots"
299:in England in December 1943. Stationed at
31:
20:
475:National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific
492:
396:
334:. On the same month, he was promoted to
1507:
1450:
1448:
1396:"USAF Organizations in Korea 1950-1953"
1222:
1184:18th Fighter-Bomber Wing, 5th Air Force
481:. He was also posthumously awarded the
1571:United States Army Air Forces officers
1337:
1335:
1333:
1144:United Nations Service Medal for Korea
338:and was appointed as commander of the
1422:
1420:
1365:
1363:
7:
1601:Military personnel missing in action
1546:Military personnel from Rhode Island
1282:
1280:
1278:
1276:
1166:Distinguished Service Cross citation
949:Air Force Presidential Unit Citation
1606:Aviators killed by being shot down
1044:with 'Germany' and 'Japan' clasps
453:On May 21, 1952, he took off from
14:
1541:American World War II flying aces
1460:Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency
1428:"Valor Awards for William Halton"
1115:Air Force Longevity Service Award
275:and was awarded his pilot wings.
1576:United States Air Force colonels
1212:List of World War II flying aces
1150:
1136:
1122:
1105:
1099:
1079:
1073:
1066:
1049:
1034:
1020:
1000:
994:
987:
970:
956:
939:
933:
915:
898:
892:
885:
878:
871:
854:
840:
816:
810:
803:
796:
789:
772:
758:
745:
138:
1091:with two bronze campaign stars
485:for his April 6, 1952 mission.
421:. The unit moved from Japan to
1485:Korean War Remembrance Project
1235:American Air Museum in Britain
1187:Date of Action: April 6, 1952
1057:National Defense Service Medal
964:American Defense Service Medal
417:, which was equipped with the
405:Following the outbreak of the
401:18th FBG F-51 Mustang in Korea
1:
1586:Recipients of the Silver Star
1481:"Col. William Timothy Halton"
1456:"Col. William Timothy Halton"
1405:. August 30, 2016. p. 13
1313:"352nd Fighter Group (USAAF)"
1117:with bronze oak leaf cluster
951:with bronze oak leaf cluster
115:United States Army Air Forces
705:
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582:
579:
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568:
563:
554:
551:
548:
540:
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521:
518:
259:Halton was born on 1917, in
234:United States Army Air Force
1596:Recipients of the Air Medal
766:Distinguished Service Cross
483:Distinguished Service Cross
200:Distinguished Service Cross
1622:
1566:American Korean War pilots
1551:Aviators from Rhode Island
1028:World War II Victory Medal
826:Distinguished Flying Cross
411:136th Fighter-Bomber Group
208:Distinguished Flying Cross
177:136th Fighter-Bomber Group
158:136th Fighter-Bomber Group
1375:WWII Aircraft Performance
744:
459:Korean Demilitarized Zone
455:Hoengsong (K-46) Air Base
431:18th Fighter Bomber Group
361:Allied air forces in the
162:18th Fighter Bomber Group
30:
1256:"William Timothy Halton"
1231:"William Timothy Halton"
1158:Korean War Service Medal
1042:Army of Occupation Medal
261:Providence, Rhode Island
103:United States of America
61:Providence, Rhode Island
1181:Colonel, U.S. Air Force
1012:with silver and bronze
978:American Campaign Medal
752:USAF Senior pilot badge
120:United States Air Force
1174:
735:Awards and decorations
489:Aerial victory credits
415:Itazuke Air Force Base
402:
340:487th Fighter Squadron
293:328th Fighter Squadron
288:
230:William Timothy Halton
172:487th Fighter Squadron
25:William Timothy Halton
1173:
400:
286:
127:Years of service
1089:Korean Service Medal
739:His awards include:
523:Messerschmitt Bf 109
320:Messerschmitt Bf 109
313:VIII Fighter Command
75:(aged 34)
1343:"William T. Halton"
1288:"William T. Halton"
347:Battle of the Bulge
297:352nd Fighter Group
241:352nd Fighter Group
175:352nd Fighter Group
154:352nd Fighter Group
43:"Bill", "Wild Bill"
1178:Halton, William T.
1175:
403:
387:lieutenant colonel
381:Post-war and Korea
332:Merseburg, Germany
289:
1163:
1162:
848:Bronze Star Medal
834:oak leaf clusters
832:and three bronze
724:
710:
709:
647:Focke-Wulf Fw 190
620:December 27, 1944
597:December 26, 1944
574:November 27, 1944
537:P-47D Thunderbolt
516:February 20, 1944
471:missing in action
309:67th Fighter Wing
273:second lieutenant
227:
226:
1613:
1515:
1512:
1496:
1495:
1493:
1491:
1477:
1471:
1470:
1468:
1466:
1452:
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1424:
1415:
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1412:
1410:
1400:
1392:
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1367:
1358:
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1355:
1353:
1339:
1328:
1327:
1325:
1323:
1309:
1303:
1302:
1300:
1298:
1292:Veteran Tributes
1284:
1271:
1270:
1268:
1266:
1252:
1246:
1245:
1243:
1241:
1227:
1154:
1140:
1126:
1109:
1103:
1083:
1077:
1070:
1053:
1038:
1024:
1004:
998:
991:
974:
960:
943:
937:
919:
902:
896:
889:
882:
875:
858:
844:
820:
814:
807:
800:
793:
776:
762:
749:
742:
741:
719:
665:January 24, 1945
546:November 2, 1944
493:
463:Prisoners of war
142:
110:
93:
81:
74:
57:
55:
35:
21:
1621:
1620:
1616:
1615:
1614:
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1610:
1521:
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1519:
1518:
1513:
1509:
1504:
1499:
1489:
1487:
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1474:
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1462:
1454:
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1436:
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1418:
1408:
1406:
1398:
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1389:
1379:
1377:
1369:
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1361:
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1331:
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1311:
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1306:
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1274:
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1254:
1253:
1249:
1239:
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1229:
1228:
1224:
1220:
1203:
1168:
1111:
1110:
1104:
1085:
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1078:
1071:
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1005:
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992:
945:
944:
938:
904:
903:
897:
890:
883:
876:
822:
821:
815:
808:
801:
794:
737:
706:487 FS, 352 FG
698:Bad Freienwalde
683:487 FS, 352 FG
660:487 FS, 352 FG
640:January 1, 1944
635:487 FS, 352 FG
615:487 FS, 352 FG
592:487 FS, 352 FG
569:487 FS, 352 FG
541:328 FS, 352 FG
491:
383:
305:Watton, Norfolk
281:
269:
267:Military career
257:
219:
215:
211:
206:
202:
188:
176:
174:
160:
156:
118:
89:
83:
77:
72:
59:
53:
51:
26:
17:
16:WWII flying ace
12:
11:
5:
1619:
1617:
1609:
1608:
1603:
1598:
1593:
1588:
1583:
1578:
1573:
1568:
1563:
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1553:
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1505:
1503:
1500:
1498:
1497:
1472:
1444:
1432:Military Times
1416:
1387:
1359:
1347:Ciel De Gloire
1329:
1317:History of War
1304:
1272:
1247:
1221:
1219:
1216:
1215:
1214:
1209:
1202:
1199:
1194:
1193:
1189:
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1179:
1167:
1164:
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1160:
1155:
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1133:
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1127:
1119:
1118:
1112:
1098:
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1092:
1086:
1072:
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1063:
1060:
1059:
1054:
1046:
1045:
1039:
1031:
1030:
1025:
1017:
1016:
1014:campaign stars
1007:
993:
986:
985:
984:
981:
980:
975:
967:
966:
961:
953:
952:
946:
932:
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927:
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869:
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865:
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823:
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802:
795:
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769:
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754:
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733:
732:
731:
730:
729:
728:
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708:
707:
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695:
692:
689:
688:March 18, 1945
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511:Unit Assigned
509:
508:Aircraft flown
506:
503:
500:
497:
490:
487:
435:Sonchon County
423:Taegu Air Base
392:U.S. Air Force
382:
379:
280:
277:
268:
265:
256:
253:
225:
224:
197:
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151:
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136:
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106:
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100:
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95:
69:
65:
64:
49:
45:
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41:
37:
36:
28:
27:
24:
15:
13:
10:
9:
6:
4:
3:
2:
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1607:
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843:
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827:
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639:
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629:Bonn, Germany
619:
618:
608:
596:
595:
585:
573:
572:
566:
565:P-51D Mustang
561:
557:
545:
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529:
524:
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467:
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419:F-51 Mustangs
416:
412:
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388:
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372:
368:
364:
363:Low Countries
360:
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355:Bonn, Germany
352:
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182:Battles/wars
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73:(1952-05-21)
71:May 21, 1952
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1536:1952 deaths
1531:1917 births
780:Silver Star
439:North Korea
427:South Korea
371:Silver Star
345:During the
237:fighter ace
213:Bronze Star
204:Silver Star
122:(1947–1952)
117:(1941–1947)
40:Nickname(s)
1525:Categories
1218:References
922:Air Medal
830:"V" device
407:Korean War
301:RAF Bodney
255:Early life
249:Korean War
190:Korean War
99:Allegiance
54:1917-07-17
1192:Citation:
908:Air Medal
720:SOURCES:
700:, Germany
677:, Germany
654:, Belgium
609:, Germany
586:, Germany
556:Merseburg
221:Air Medal
130:1941–1952
1201:See also
505:Location
168:Commands
109:Service/
560:Germany
532:Belgium
448:Sinuiju
443:MiG-15s
328:Belgium
295:of the
239:in the
144:Colonel
91:†
79:†
694:Bf 109
671:Bf 109
626:Bf 109
603:Bf 109
584:Hameln
580:Bf 109
552:Bf 109
528:Leuven
479:Hawaii
367:Fw 190
324:Leuven
196:Awards
111:branch
87:
63:, U.S.
1502:Notes
1399:(PDF)
828:with
703:P-51D
680:P-51D
657:P-51D
652:Liège
632:P-51D
612:P-51D
589:P-51D
336:major
322:over
85:Korea
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675:Köhn
607:Bonn
502:Type
496:Date
351:Y-29
223:(18)
150:Unit
135:Rank
68:Died
48:Born
623:3.5
477:in
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