File:Letter concerning Wallace Herbert Higginbotham (1916-1990) decorated with the Air Medal from July 25, 1943.jpg

HEADQUARTERS FIFTH AIR FORCE
A.P.O. 925 July 25, 1943


Dear Mrs. Higginbotham:

Recently, your son Private Wallace H. Higginbotham, was decorated with the Air Medal. It was an award made in recognition of courageous service to his combat organization, his fellow American airmen, his home, and to you.

He was cited for meritorious achievement while >participating in an aerial flight over the north coast of New Guinea.

He was a member of the crew of a 24D type aircraft engaged on an individual reconnaissance mission over hostile territory which had never been photographed. An enemy vessel was sighted and bombing runs were made, with the result that a direct hit war scored which set the vessel on fire. A low level bombing run was then made and two direct hits were scored causing the vessel to sink within a short period. During these operations, the plane was subjected to intense anti-aircraft and machine gun fire.

Almost every hour of every day your son, and the sons of other American mothers, are doing just such things that here in the Southwest Pacific.

Theirs is very real and very tangible contribution victory and to peace.

I would like to tell you how genuinely proud I am to have men such as your son in my command, and how gratified I am to know that young Americans with such courage and resourcefulness are fighting our country's battle against the aggressor nations.

You, Mrs. Higginbotham, have every reason to share that pride and gratification.

Very sincerely,
George C. Kenney,
Lieutenant General,
Commanding.


Mrs. Ora Higginbotham
5681 Ocean View Drive,
Oakland, California

• Wallace Herbert Higginbotham (1916-1990)
• Ora Rathja (1886-1972), mother
• George Churchill Kenney (1889-1970), Lieutenant General

	This work is in the public domain in the United States because it is a work prepared by an officer or employee of the United States Government as part of that person’s official duties under the terms of Title 17, Chapter 1, Section 105 of the US Code. Note: This only applies to original works of the Federal Government and not to the work of any individual U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, county, municipality, or any other subdivision. This template also does not apply to postage stamp designs published by the United States Postal Service since 1978. (See § 313.6(C)(1) of Compendium of U.S. Copyright Office Practices). It also does not apply to certain US coins; see The US Mint Terms of Use.
This file has been identified as being free of known restrictions under copyright law, including all related and neighboring rights.

https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/PDMCreative Commons Public Domain Mark 1.0falsefalse