James Bruce Morehead (August 16, 1916 – March 11, 2012) was an American fighter pilot in World War II as a flying ace. He flew combat missions over a three-year span of the war with a total of eight aerial victories. He was awarded two Distinguished Service Crosses, a Silver Star, two Distinguished Flying Crosses and sixteen Air Medals
Early life Morehead was born on August 16, 1916, in Paoli, Oklahoma.
Military career World War II At the initial outbreak of hostilities, Morehead was recovering from injuries sustained by a mid air collision. In late December after recovery, he joined pilots and support personnel in San Francisco, aboard the USS President Polk, ordered to be sent to the Philippines, but instead diverted to port in Brisbane, Australia as the Japanese threaten the Dutch East Indies and Australia.
He destroyed three enemy aircraft on February 25, 1942 and was awarded his first Distinguished Service Cross for that mission. On April 25, 1942, he destroyed two more enemy aircraft, earning him the flying ace status.
During this time he was credited with the destruction of 7 Japanese aircraft in aerial combat. He received the Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star and Distinguished Flying Cross for his service in the Pacific Theater.
He received a second Distinguished Service Cross and an additional Distinguished Flying Cross for his service in the European Theater.
His aerial victories during World War II consisted of 8 enemy planes destroyed in the air and 1 damaged. Of his kills, 7 were attained while flying P-40 and one was attained while flying P-38.
His book "In My Sights" is a story of the few who survived the aerial battles against the Southwest Pacific.
Aerial Victory credits DateLocationCreditsCommentFebruary 25, 1942Darwin Australia 2Awarded DFC April 25, 1942Pacific Theater of Operations3Achieved Ace Status (awarded DSC)August 23, 1942Pacific Theater of Operations2Awarded Silver StarJune 6, 1944Romania1
Later life In 1999 he was inducted into the American Combat Airman Hall of Fame.
Morehead died on March 11, 2012. He is buried with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery.
Awards and decorations His awards and decorations include:
USAF Command pilot badge Distinguished Service Crosswith bronze oak leaf cluster Silver StarDistinguished Flying Crosswith bronze oak leaf clusterAir Medalwith silver oak leaf clustersAir Force Presidential Unit Citationwith three bronze oak leaf clustersAmerican Defense Service Medalwith service starAmerican Campaign MedalAsiatic-Pacific Campaign Medalwith two bronze campaign starsEuropean–African–Middle Eastern Campaign Medalwith three bronze campaign starsWorld War II Victory MedalArmy of Occupation MedalNational Defense Service MedalKorean Service Medalwith bronze campaign starAir Force Longevity Service Awardwith silver oak leaf clusterArmed Forces Reserve Medalwith bronze hourglass deviceSmall Arms Expert Marksmanship RibbonPhilippine Defense MedalFrench Croix de Guerrewith PalmPhilippine Independence Medal Philippine Presidential Unit CitationRepublic of Korea Presidential Unit CitationUnited Nations Korea MedalRepublic of Korea War Service Medal
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