Brigadier General Fred Castle was flying as a copilot in the lead B-17G Flying Fortress with the 487th Bomb Group, 1Lt. Robert W. Harriman, and their skilled lead crew of six officers and three enlisted gunners
Christmas Eve 1944 in Europe Due to the arrival of a much-needed high-pressure system, the weather over the northern continent has finally started to clear. After six arduous months of fighting on the continent, the Battle of the Bulge was raging in fiercely contested areas of Luxembourg and Belgium, and allied ground forces were seriously in danger of being entirely encircled. The extraordinary power of the allied air forces launched what ended up being the biggest heavy bomber attack of World War II during the weather break.
The 8th Air Force, stationed in England, launched a strategic “maximum effort” of approximately 2,000 heavy bombers escorted by roughly 900 fighters, while over 1,000 fighters and fighter-bombers from the 9th Air Force continued the bloody low-level war directly supporting US Army forces. They were followed by 800 heavy bombers from the Royal Air Force. The three bombardment divisions of the “Mighty 8th” gave it their all. German fighter airfields and communications hubs in western Germany were their targets, which were crucially important for supporting the ongoing combat further below.
Brigadier General Fred Castle was flying as copilot in the lead B-17G Flying Fortress in this picture with the 487th Bomb Group and 1Lt. Robert W. Harriman and his skilled lead crew of 6 officers and 3 enlisted gunners, as depicted in the amazing artwork in this post painted by Wade Meyers (visit his site to see his beautiful paintings).
Treble Four was given to the bomber in honor of her 44-8444 serial number. 444 was outfitted with the cutting-edge H2X “Mickey” ground-mapping radar in place of her ball turret as an airborne commander and a ‘pathfinder’, Castle’s Fortress carried three navigators, one for each of pilotage (ground reference), dead reckoning, and a specially trained Mickey radar navigator.
Treble Four started to experience issues as it ascended and got closer to the target. The citation for Brig. Gen. Castle’s Medal of Honor reads as follows:
The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor (Posthumously) to
BRIGADIER GENERAL (AIR CORPS) FREDERICK WALKER CASTLE
UNITED STATES ARMY AIR FORCES, for service as set forth in the following CITATION:
“For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action above and beyond the call of duty while serving with the 487th Bombardment Group (H), 4th Bombardment Wing, Eighth Air Force.
He was air commander and leader of more than 2,000 heavy bombers in a strike against German airfields on 24 December 1944. En route to the target, the failure of one engine forced him to relinquish his place at the head of the formation. In order not to endanger friendly troops on the ground below, he refused to jettison his bombs to gain speed and maneuverability. His lagging, unescorted aircraft became the target of numerous enemy fighters which ripped the left wing with cannon shells, set the oxygen system afire, and wounded two members of the crew.
Repeated attacks started fires in two engines, leaving the Flying Fortress in imminent danger of exploding. Realizing the hopelessness of the situation, the bail-out order was given. Without regard for his personal safety, he gallantly remained alone at the controls to afford all other crewmembers an opportunity to escape. Still, another attack exploded gasoline tanks in the right wing, and the bomber plunged earthward, carrying Gen. Castle to his death. His intrepidity and willing sacrifice of his life to save the members of his crew were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service.”
/s/
HARRY S. TRUMAN
War Department, General Orders No. 22 (February 28, 1946)
Castle also holds the Purple Heart, the Distinguished Service Cross, the Legion of Merit, four Distinguished Flying Crosses, four Air Medals, and four Distinguished Flying Crosses. On January 17, 1946, Merced Army Air Field was redesignated Castle Field in his honor. The facility became Castle Air Force Base in 1948.. It was closed in 1995.
