Major Ralph Cheli - St. Louis
Posted by: BruceS
N 38° 30.052 W 090° 16.691
15S E 737354 N 4264900
World War II, US Army Air Corps, Medal of Honor recipient located in Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery.
Waymark Code: WM7YN
Location: Missouri, United States
Date Posted: 02/23/2006
Views: 36
Major Ralph Cheli
Rank and organization: Major, U.S. Army Air Corps
Place and date: Near Wewak, New Guinea, 18 August 1943.
Entered service at: Brooklyn,
N.Y.
Birth: San Francisco, Calif.
Date of issue: 28 October 1943.
Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond
the call of duty in action with the enemy. While Maj. Cheli was
leading his squadron in a dive to attack the heavily defended Dagua
Airdrome, intercepting enemy aircraft centered their fire on his
plane, causing it to burst into flames while still 2 miles from
the objective. His speed would have enabled him to gain necessary
altitude to parachute to safety, but this action would have resulted
in his formation becoming disorganized and exposed to the enemy.
Although a crash was inevitable, he courageously elected to continue
leading the attack in his blazing plane. From a minimum altitude,
the squadron made a devastating bombing and strafing attack on the
target. The mission completed, Maj. Cheli instructed his wingman
to lead the formation and crashed into the sea.