Lt. Edward C. Jordan - The War Years
Pilot, 603rd Squadron
Promotions, Awards and Decorations
Promotions
Ed Jordan graduated from Army Air Cadets on January 7, 1944 as a 2nd Lieutenant. Later he received the following ratings and promotions.
- January 23, 1944: Qualified as a 1022 TE Bomber Pilot
- June 23, 1944: Recommended as a 1024 4-Engine Bomber Pilot, effective July 1, 1944
- August 1, 1944: Assigned the Scott/Spitzer Crew
- August 12, 1944: Promoted to 1st Lieutenant
- August 17, 1944: Qualified as a 1091 Bomber Pilot B-17
Awards and Decorations
Ed Jordan received eight awards and decorations during his time in the 398th. These were:
- The Eastern Theater Operations Ribbon and Bronze Battle Star - May 6, 1944
- The Air Medal - May 27, 1944
- The Oak Leaf Cluster for Air Medal - June 30, 1944
- The Bronze Battle Star - July 19, 1944
- The Oak Leak Cluster for Air Medal - August 5, 1944
- The Oak Leaf Cluster for Air Medal - August 22, 1944
- The Distinguished Flying Cross - September 4, 1944
- The Oak Leaf Cluster for Distinguished Flying Cross - September 9, 1944
At the 1991 San Diego 398th Reunion, Bob Hopkins explained that the Eastern Theater Operations Ribbon was awarded to everyone in a certain battle. He mentioned that the Air Medal was given after six missions, and that the Oak Leaf Cluster for the Air Medal was given every six missions after that. The dates the medal and clusters were given are delayed so it is hard to match with the mission list. Ed flew 28 missions and he received the Air Medal and three Oak Leaf Clusters for the Air Medal, which would be correct for 28 missions. The Oak Leaf Cluster for the Distinguished Flying Cross is given instead of a second DFC.
The Officer's Manual states that the Distinguished Flying Cross is awarded to an individual who distinguishes himself by heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight. The DFC is a four-blade propeller on a bronze cross patee. On the reverse side are engraved the grade, name and organization of the recipient with the date of the award. The ribbon's stripes are blue, white, blue, white, red, white, blue, white and blue. Ed was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross on September 4, 1944 for his 398th August 6th Mission to Brandenburg in which he continued on after having lost engine power and maintained his lead in formation. Ed received the Oak Leaf cluster for the Distinguished Flying Cross on September 9th while serving as Pilot of a B-17 airplane on a number of combat bombardment missions over Germany and German occupied countries from 6 May 1944 to 3 September 1944.
The Officer's Manual states that the Air Medal is awarded to a person who distinguishes himself by meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight. This decoration is awarded in those cases where the act of meritorious service does not warrant the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross. The Air Medal is a pendent from a ribbon striped with the Air Corps colors of blue and gold. The pendent is a fleur-de-lis that surmounts a compass rose. In relief on the rose is a swooping American eagle with lightning bolts clutched in his talons. As mentioned above, Ed was awarded the Air Medal on May 27th, 1944 and susequently 3 associated Oak Leaf Clusters.
On Ed's and other men's Awards list, the term Bronze Star was sometimes used instead of Bronze Battle Star. This has led to some confusion in interpretation. After much research it has been determined that he received the Bronze Battle Star, given for participation in certain battles. Ed's initial Bronze Battle Star appears to be for participation in the Eastern Theater of Operations, and the 2nd Bronze Battle Star for participation in the air battle in France after D-Day.
Personal History Information
- Veteran: Edward C. Jordan
- Position: Co-Pilot/Pilot
- Squadron: 603rd
- Date of Personal History: February 2003
- Author: Dave Jordan
- Submitted to 398th Web Pages by: Dave Jordan