The nation’s highest award was given to B-17 pilot 1st Lt. William R. Lawley Jr., for his gallantry, while flying a Flying Fortress bombing mission over Leipzig as part of Operation Argument
The massive USAAF bomber forces of World War II were intended for the unescorted, precise daytime bombing, but nobody anticipated the destruction that German radar-directed interceptors would cause to them. The Allies had a pressing need to end the Luftwaffe’s ability to thwart the landings after the failure of the Schweinfurt-Regensburg attacks in 1943 and the approaching D-Day.
Operation Argument, also known as “Big Week,” was the first effective offensive counter-air (OCA) campaign ever planned and executed by the Allies in February 1944. It attempted to both reduce aircraft production and draw the Luftwaffe into conflict by attacking German aircraft factories with large numbers of heavy bombers and the new long-range P-51 Mustang, allowing the new Mustangs to damage the German interceptors.
First Lieutenant William R. Lawley Jr. of the 364th Bomb Squadron (BS) B-17 pilot received the Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest honor, on February 20 for his bravery while risking his life during a Flying Fortress bombing mission over Leipzig as part of Operation Argument.
The 305th Bomb Group (BG) formed the 40th Combat Wing’s lead combat group on that day, with its 364th BS flying – at 28,000ft – as its high squadron, as explained by Douglas C. Dildy in his book “Big Week” 1944, Operation Argument and the Breaking of the Jagdwaffe.
First Lieutenant William R. “Bill” Lawley, flying one of the group’s newest B-17Gs, 42-38109 “Cabin in the Sky,” kept formation with his leader as the wing crossed their target and dropped their loads of 500lb GP HE and incendiary bombs. The “Cabin in the Sky’s” eight 500-pound bombs refused to fall due to the icy temperatures at high altitudes that caused the releasing mechanism to freeze.
About 20 Me 109G interceptors that had raced north from Neubiberg, near Munich, struck the formation head-on as it rolled out of its turn-off target. I./JG 301’s vicious frontal attack, which was led by Major Walter Brede, shattered the B-17’s cockpit, killing Lieutenant Paul Murphy, the co-pilot, injuring Lawley and seven other men, and igniting the number two engine.
The damaged Fortress fell from the formation as the injured pilot struggled to recover level flight at 12,000 feet by using all of his effort to hold the co-pilot’s body off the controls. Lawley gave the order for the crew to leave, but he soon learned that two of the gunners were mortally wounded.
His Medal of Honor citation reads, “…Forcing the copilot’s body off the controls, he brought the airplane out of a steep dive, flying with his left hand only. After the order to bail out had been given, one of the waist gunners informed Lieutenant Lawley that two crew members were so severely wounded that it would be impossible for them to bail out. With the fire in the engine spreading, the danger of an explosion was imminent. Because of the helpless condition of his wounded crew members 1st Lt. Lawley elected to remain with the ship and bring them to safety if it was humanly possible. Enemy fighters again attacked but by using masterful evasive action he managed to lose them. 1st Lt. Lawley remained at his post, refusing first aid until he collapsed from sheer exhaustion caused by loss of blood, shock, and the energy he had expended in keeping control of his plane. He was revived by the bombardier and again took over the controls. Coming over the English coast [one] engine started to burn and continued to do so until a successful crash landing was made on a small fighter base. Through his heroism and exceptional flying skill, 1st Lt. Lawley rendered outstanding distinguished, and valorous service to our Nation.”
“Big Week” 1944, Operation Argument and the Breaking of the Jagdwaffe is published by Osprey Publishing and is available to order here.
Photo by: U.S. Air Force via This Day in Aviation