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Lot 222:
Description
William Arthur Shomo (May 30, 1918 -June 25, 1990) enlisted as an aviation cadet in August 1941. He learned to fly at Tulsa, Okla., and Randolph and Brooks Fields, Texas, and got his commission and wings in March 1942. He spent two years at pilot at Louisiana, Ga., and Texas bases until going to the Pacific in June 1944, for duty with the 82nd Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron. On Jan. 11. 1945, then-Captain Shomo, took off in his P-51 Mustang fighter from Mindoro in the Philippines to see if Japanese airdromes in the northern part of Luzon were occupied. Second Lt. Paul M. Lipscomb flew as his wingman. The Japanese did not know it then, but a licensed embalmer was out looking for business, and seven enemy planes were shot from the skies by his guns before the mission ended. General Kenney, promptly promoted Shomo to major and recommended him for the Medal of Honor, which was approved. The citation tells what happened, as follows: While en route to the airdromes, Captain Shomo observed an enemy twin-engine bomber, protected by 12 fighters, flying about 2,500 feet above him and in the opposite direction. Although the odds were 13 to two, Captain Shomo immediately ordered an attack. Accompanied by Lieutenant Lipscomb, he closed on the enemy formation in a climbing turn and scored hits on the leading plane of the third element, which exploded in midair. Shomo then attacked the second element from the left side of the formation and shot another fighter down in flames. When the enemy formed for counterattack, Shomo moved to the other side of the formation and hit a third fighter which exploded and fell. Diving below the bomber, he put a burst into its underside and it crashed and burned. Pulling up-from this pass, he encountered a fifth plane firing head on and destroyed it. He next dived upon the first element and shot down the lead plane, then diving to 300 feet in pursuit of another fighter, he caught it with his initial burst and it crashed in flames. During this action Lieutenant Lipscomb had shot down three planes, while the three remaining enemy fighters had fled into a cloud bank and escaped. Captain Shomos extraordinary gallantry and intrepidity in attacking such a far superior force and destroying seven enemy aircraft in one action is unparalleled in the Southwest Pacific Area. While flying 203 combat missions in the Philippines, Major Shomo got one more kill in the air and was credited with destroying six fighters and 13 bombers on the ground, earning the Distinguished Flying Cross and five Air Medals as well as the nations highest award. Major Shomo returned to the United States in October 1945, and went off active duty May 18, 1946. This signed photo is a copy of an actual period photo. The signature is original. The approximate size is 8 x 10 inches. The photo is in nice condition.
Condition: See description for notes on condition. Please note that all items are sold as is without returns, so please ask questions in advance of bidding.
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