Julian Marion Bleyer
Military
USAF Photo
Object Number - UPL 46945 - "The Armed Services Committee of the 1949 Presidential Inaugural Parade discusses marching logistics in a Pentagon meeting with Carter T, Barron,...
Assigned to 343BS, 98BG, 9AF USAAF. Pilot B-24 41-11896 flew on 1-Aug-43 Ploesti oil refinery raid, returning safely to Libya.
DSC Citation:
"Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps) Julian M. Bleyer, United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a B-24 Heavy Bomber in Headquarters, 98th Bombardment Group (H), NINTH Air Force, while participating in a bombing mission on 1 August 1943, against the Ploesti Oil Refineries in Rumania. During a long and hazardous attack against a vital enemy oil installation made at low-altitude by a formation of B-24 type aircraft, Lieutenant Colonel Bleyer flew through heavy enemy fire against impossible odds, and then brought his crew safely back to base without the loss of a single man. The personal courage and zealous devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Colonel Bleyer on this occasion, even when confronted with practically certain destruction, exemplified the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 9th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces."
Connections
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Ninth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Ninth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 98th Bomb Group 343rd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 19097720 / O-739218
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Bombardier
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
- Nicknames: Nightmare
- Unit: 98th Bomb Group 343rd Bomb Squadron
Missions
- Date: 1 August 1943
- Official Description:
Places
- Site type: Airfield
- Known as: Soluch Airfield
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Born |
Dawson, Tulsa, OK 74115, USA | 18 April 1915 | Son of Chester and Madge Bleyer. |
|
Other Promotion |
20 June 1937 | Promoted 2nd Lieutenant. | |
|
Other Promotion |
9 September 1940 | Promoted 1st Lieutenant. | |
|
Other Promotion |
1 February 1942 | Promoted Captain. | |
|
Other Promotion |
7 May 1943 | Promoted Major. | |
|
Other Survived Ploesti |
Ploiești, Romania | 1 August 1943 | Pilot B-24 41-11896 flew on 1st Aug 43 Ploesti oil refinery raid, returning safely to Libya. |
|
Other Promotion |
27 April 1944 | Promoted Lieutenant Colonel. | |
|
Died |
Brevard County, FL, USA | 4 March 2002 | |
|
Based Assigned |
Benina | Assigned to 343BS, 98BG, 9AF USAAF. | |
|
Buried |
Brevard Memorial Park Cocoa Brevard County, FL | Brevard Memorial Park Cocoa Brevard County, Florida | |
|
Enlisted |
|||
|
Other Pilot training |
Basic flight training - 1936 | ||
|
Other Pilot training |
Primary flight training - 1936 | ||
|
Other Pilot training |
20 June 1937 | Advanced flight training - 1937 |
