M/Sgt Michael Arooth - Springfield, MA
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neoc1
N 42° 06.082 W 072° 35.365
18T E 699327 N 4663843
A plaque in honor of Master Sergeant "Mike" Arooth is located in the vestibule of the entrance of the City Hall building 36 Court St., Springfield, MA.
Waymark Code: WMVQW3
Location: Massachusetts, United States
Date Posted: 05/20/2017
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Master Sergeant Michael Arooth served in the 8th Division of the Army Air Force in the 527th Bombardment Squadron Company of the 379th Bombardment Group Regiment during World War II. He was the City of Springfield's most decorated veteran.
Michael Arooth had the most formidable record of any gunner in Air Force history. He is officially credited with shooting down at least 17 enemy planes in 14 missions. It was estimated he actually downed more than 20 enemy aircraft. In 1958, he was selected as a pallbearer at the burial of the Unknown Soldier of World War II at Arlington National Cemetery.
A plaque on the west wall if the entrance to Springfield City Hall is inscribed:
IN GRATITUDE FROM THE CITIZENS OF SPRINGFIELD
TO M/SGT "MIKE" AROOTH
THE CITY'S MOST DECORATED VETERAN
{RELIEF IMAGE OF MICHAEL AROOTH}
DOWNED 17 ENEMY AIRCRAFT IN 14 MISSIONS
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS
DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS WITH OAK LEAF CLUSTER
PURPLE HEART WITH OAK LEAF CLUSTER
AIR MEDAL WITH THREE OAK LEAF CLUSTERS
GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL WITH THREE BARS
EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN THEATER MEDAL
AMERICAN THEATER MEDAL
PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION WITH THREE CLUSTERS
ACTIVE PALLBEARER AT THE SERVICE OF THE
UNKNOWN SOLDIER WORLD WAR II MAY 30, 1958
S/Sgt Michael Arooth Distinguished Service Cross citation reads:
Awarded for actions during the World War II
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Staff Sergeant Michael Arooth, United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Tail gunner in a B-17 Heavy Bomber of the 527th Bombardment Squadron, 379th Bombardment Group (H), EIGHTH Air Force, while participating in a bombing mission on 30 July 1943, against enemy ground targets in Germany. On that date, Staff Sergeant Arooth shot down three enemy airplanes and even though the airplane's oxygen line was broken, one gun was jammed, and he was severely wounded, he remained at his post, repaired his gun, resumed fire, and destroyed the fourth plane. The personal courage and zealous devotion to duty displayed by Staff Sergeant Arooth on this occasion have upheld the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 8th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.
General Orders: Headquarters, European Theater of Operations, U.S. Army, General Orders No. 61 (1943)