Frederick Walker Castle

Holding a stricken bomber steady so his crew could bail out.

Frederick Walker Castle was born in Manila on 14 October 1908. After two years in the New Jersey National Guard, he attended the United States Military Academy, graduating in June 1930. He completed Air Corps flight training in 1931 and served with the 17th Pursuit Squadron before returning to civilian life in 1934. Recalled to active duty in January 1942, he went to England with General Ira Eaker to help establish the Eighth Air Force. He commanded the 94th Bomb Group and, from April 1944, the 4th Combat Bomb Wing. He became a brigadier general that November.

Frederick Walker Castle earned a posthumous Medal of Honor during a bombing mission on 24 December 1944. A brigadier general leading a large bomber formation, he lost speed after an engine failure but refused to drop bombs over friendly troops. Enemy fighters repeatedly attacked his unescorted aircraft, wounding crewmen and starting fires. When escape became necessary, Castle remained at the controls so the others could bail out. A further attack destroyed the bomber, carrying him to his death.

Castle died in the action, leaving no subsequent military career. His Medal of Honor was presented posthumously to his mother by General Ira Eaker in Mountain Lakes, New Jersey. He is buried at Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery in Belgium.

Medal of Honor citation

He was air commander and leader of more than 2,000 heavy bombers in a strike against German airfields on 24 December 1944. En route to the target, the failure of one engine forced him to relinquish his place at the head of the formation. In order not to endanger friendly troops on the ground below, he refused to jettison his bombs to gain speed maneuverability. His lagging, unescorted aircraft became the target of numerous enemy fighters which ripped the left wing with cannon shells, set the oxygen system afire, and wounded two members of the crew. Repeated attacks started fires in two engines, leaving the Flying Fortress in imminent danger of exploding. Realizing the hopelessness of the situation, the bail-out order was given. Without regard for his personal safety he gallantly remained alone at the controls to afford all other crewmembers an opportunity to escape. Still another attack exploded gasoline tanks in the right wing, and the bomber plunged earthward, carrying Gen. Castle to his death. His intrepidity and willing sacrifice of his life to save the members of his crew were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service.