Philip Harrison Stahlman Jr
Military
398th Bomb Group Collection via Nuthampstead Airfield Museum.
Object Number - UPL 23584 - Hollis Dalton's Crew. Back row: (L-R) John McAllister-Bombardier, Philip Stahlman-Co-pilot, William Schwan-Navigator, Front row: (L-R) Harold...
On last mission , number 25 (Oct 15 '44) had our nose blown off over Cologne. Bombardier didn't make it back to base, rest of crew OK. His plane name was 'Kentucky Colonel'. His bravery, skill and courage in helping get damaged plane safely back to base after the nose section was destroyed earned him the DFC
Awards: DFC (OLC), AM (3OLC), EAME (BS), WWII Victory.
Connections
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 398th Bomb Group 603rd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-41351
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: 2 Sad Lovely Julie
- Unit: 2nd Strategic Air Depot 398th Bomb Group 601st Bomb Squadron
Places
- Site type: Airfield
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Born |
Shippenville, Pennsylvania | 8 August 1921 | BornShippenville, Pennsylvania |
|
Enlisted |
19 May 1942 | ||
|
Other Distinguished Flying Cross Oak Leaf Cluster Award: GENERAL ORDERS No. 317 |
2 December 1944 - 2 December 1944 | For extraordinary achievement while serving as Co-Pilot of a B-17 airplane on a bombing mission over Germany, 15 October 1944. On this date the airplane in which Lieutenant Stahlman was flying was struck by a direct burst of flak. A shell pierced the chin turret and exploded in the nose, killing the Bombardier immediately and completely destroying the nose section. All instruments except the altimeter and a magnetic compass were rendered inoperative. An icy blast of wind coming through the open nose compelled the Pilot and Lieutenant Stahlman to descend to a lower altitude. The nose covering peeled back as a result of the explosion and covered almost all of the windows, making visibility very limited. Lieutenant Stahlman went through the airplane, informing the crew to prepare to bail out. Upon returning to the cockpit he observed that the Pilot was working desperately to maintain control, which was becoming increasingly difficult due to the suction of air through the open nose. He immediately went to the controls and aided immeasurably in completing the return flight to home base, despite the numerous difficulties involved. The courage, coolness and skill displayed by Lieutenant Stahlman reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States. Entered military service in Pennsylvania. | |
|
Other Discharged |
15 October 1945 | ||
|
Died |
Cape Coral, Florida | 8 December 2005 | DiedCape Coral, Florida |
|
Buried |
Lee Memorial Park Fort Myers, Florida | 13 December 2005 | InterredLee Memorial ParkFort Myers, Florida |
Revisions
eneral Order 577 from Headquarters 1st Bombardment Division, Office of the Commanding General, by Command of Brigadier General Turner, dated 2 December 1944.
Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / Mighty Eighth Air Force Heritage Museum Membership List, July 2000/ self
