US Army Air Forces CAPT Harl Pease: WWII Medal of Honor Recipient

Medal of Honor Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action with the enemy on 6-7 August 1942. When one engine of the bombardment airplane of which he was a pilot failed during a bombing mission over New Guinea, Capt. Pease was forced to return to base in Australia. Knowing that all available airplanes of his group were to participate the next day in an attack on an enemy-held airdrome near Rabaul, New Britain, although he was not scheduled to take part in this mission, Capt. Pease selected the most serviceable airplane at this base and prepared it for combat, knowing that it had been found and declared unserviceable for combat missions. With the members of his combat crew, who volunteered to accompany him, he rejoined his squadron at Port Moresby, New Guinea, at 1 A.M. on 7 August, after having flown almost continuously since early in the preceding morning. With only three hours' rest, he took off with his squadron for the attack. Throughout the long flight to Rabaul, New Britain, he managed by skillful flying of his unserviceable airplane to maintain his position in the group. When the formation was intercepted by about 30 enemy fighter airplanes before reaching the target, Capt. Pease, on the wing which bore the brunt of the hostile attack, by gallant action and the accurate shooting by his crew, succeeded in destroying several Zeros before dropping his bombs on the hostile base as planned, this in spite of continuous enemy attacks. The fight with the enemy pursuit lasted 25 minutes until the group dived into cloud cover. After leaving the target, Capt. Pease's aircraft fell behind the balance of the group due to unknown difficulties as a result of the combat and was unable to reach this cover before the enemy pursuit succeeded in igniting one of his bomb bay tanks. He was seen to drop the flaming tank. It is believed that Capt. Pease's airplane and crew were subsequently shot down in flames, as they did not return to their base. In voluntarily performing this mission Capt. Pease contributed materially to the success of the group and displayed high devotion to duty, valor, and complete contempt for personal danger. His undaunted bravery has been a great inspiration to the officers and men of his unit.

Please view our other videos to learn about our Medal of Honor heroes.

Photos Courtesy Wikimedia Commons

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[jefsantamonica]

He and his crew rest in Honor.
The Greatest Generation.

[leonardkillgore]

I owe this man a debt of gratitude because I lived a wonderful life of liberty thanks to his heroic efforts.

[Nonukes]

It's..., 82 YRS Tomorrow the Thank you For....the Remembrance of these MEN....WHO GAVE IT AMEN

[-Hands]

"Thank You" for my FREEDOM and Rest in Peace...

[GordonKley-nzqm]

Brave beyond brave. The whole crew. The whole flight.

[peggyelchert]

Capt. Harl Pease is the namesake for Pease Air Force Base. He was a United States Army Air Corp officer and recipent of the United States Military’s highest award, the Medal of Honor, for his actions in WWll.
After languishing in a POW camp, on Oct.8, 1942, Pease & three other Americans and two Australians were forced to dig their own graves, then were beheaded. Following the war, the remains of three of Pease’s crewmen were found & identified, however Pease & the men who died with him, their remains were never recovered.

[JonAnderhub]

Thank you for your sacrifice. Thanks to brave men like you we don't speak german or japanese but freely speak our minds. Thank you sir and if he has any family thank you for your sacrifice as well.

[rogeradkins]

Thank for your service and dedication and sacrifices RIP God Bless your families and friends ❤❤❤❤

[thomast]

so many heroic stories during that war, and yes, i mean heroic in the greatest sense of the word

[barbarajoseph]

Thank you for our Freedom, you all are Heroes!

[grannyblinda]

I’m humbled to hear of the greatness of these men…and proud … we are free because of real men like these…

[Redeye]

All gave some some gave all Thank You for your Service to our Country 🇺🇲

[michaelburger]

A salute to you and your crew RIP among the clouds siemper fidelis thank you

[stacynels]

Thank You All for your service Rest In Peace.

[ShawnClyne]

This generation should know of the sacrifices the " greatest generation " made so that we all could enjoy the freedom some take for granted.

Thank you and your crew for your bravery.

[-.Steven]

Incredible! Uncommon Valor was the common denominator for the Entire Crew! God Bless them all forever!

[ripcordjr]

A bomber full of heroes... Rest in peace airmen, brother in arms.

[newrenewableenergycontrol]

I served on his base in New Hampshire as a nuclear weapons security specialist! I heard about this gentleman and his sacrifice in 1972! Peace IS our profession! Proud to serve in the US Air Force!

[miapdx]

These men were *soldiers!* They understood the mission and didn't hesitate to do whatever was necessary. We don't see selflessness like that today. 🌹

[ShelbyCobra-ql]

My dad, then a B-52 Pilot, was stationed at Pease AFB in Portsmouth, New Hampshire from 1960-1965. It's nice to see the history of the American hero the base was named after.