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Jerstad</div></th></tr><tr><td colspan="2" class="infobox-image" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #aaa;; line-height: 1.5em"><span class="mw-default-size" typeof="mw:File/Frameless"><a href="/wiki/File:MAJOR_JOHN_L_JERSTAD.jpg" class="mw-file-description"><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/53/MAJOR_JOHN_L_JERSTAD.jpg/220px-MAJOR_JOHN_L_JERSTAD.jpg" decoding="async" width="220" height="261" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/53/MAJOR_JOHN_L_JERSTAD.jpg/330px-MAJOR_JOHN_L_JERSTAD.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/53/MAJOR_JOHN_L_JERSTAD.jpg/440px-MAJOR_JOHN_L_JERSTAD.jpg 2x" data-file-width="800" data-file-height="950" /></a></span><div class="infobox-caption" style="font-size: 100%">Major John L. Jerstad, U.S. Army Air Corps, World War II Medal of Honor Recipient (Congressional Medal of Honor Society)</div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label" style="padding-right: 1em">Nickname(s)</th><td class="infobox-data nickname">“Jack”</td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label" style="padding-right: 1em">Born</th><td class="infobox-data"><span style="display:none">(<span class="bday">1918-02-12</span>)</span>February 12, 1918<br /><a href="/wiki/Racine,_Wisconsin" title="Racine, Wisconsin">Racine, Wisconsin</a></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label" style="padding-right: 1em">Died</th><td class="infobox-data">August 1, 1943<span style="display:none">(1943-08-01)</span> (aged 25)<br /><a href="/wiki/Ploie%C5%9Fti" class="mw-redirect" title="Ploieşti">Ploieşti</a>, <a href="/wiki/Kingdom_of_Romania" title="Kingdom of Romania">Kingdom of Romania</a></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label" style="padding-right: 1em">Place of burial</th><td class="infobox-data"><div style="display:inline" class="label"><a href="/wiki/Ardennes_American_Cemetery_and_Memorial" title="Ardennes American Cemetery and Memorial">Ardennes American Cemetery and Memorial</a></div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label" style="padding-right: 1em">Allegiance</th><td class="infobox-data"><span class="flagicon"><span class="mw-image-border" typeof="mw:File"><span><img alt="" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/a/a4/Flag_of_the_United_States.svg/23px-Flag_of_the_United_States.svg.png" decoding="async" width="23" height="12" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/a/a4/Flag_of_the_United_States.svg/35px-Flag_of_the_United_States.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/a/a4/Flag_of_the_United_States.svg/46px-Flag_of_the_United_States.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="1235" data-file-height="650" /></span></span> </span><a href="/wiki/United_States" title="United States">United States of America</a></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label" style="padding-right: 1em">Service <wbr />/ branch</th><td class="infobox-data"><a href="/wiki/United_States_Army_Air_Forces" title="United States Army Air Forces">United States Army Air Forces</a></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label" style="padding-right: 1em">Years of service</th><td class="infobox-data">1941 – 1943</td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label" style="padding-right: 1em">Rank</th><td class="infobox-data"><a href="/wiki/Major_(United_States)" title="Major (United States)">Major</a></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label" style="padding-right: 1em">Unit</th><td class="infobox-data"><a href="/wiki/2nd_Bombardment_Wing" class="mw-redirect" title="2nd Bombardment Wing">2nd Bombardment Wing</a></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label" style="padding-right: 1em">Battles / wars</th><td class="infobox-data"><a href="/wiki/World_War_II" title="World War II">World War II</a> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/European_air_campaign_(World_War_II)" class="mw-redirect" title="European air campaign (World War II)">European air campaign</a> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Oil_campaign_of_World_War_II" title="Oil campaign of World War II">Oil campaign</a> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Operation_Tidal_Wave" title="Operation Tidal Wave">Operation Tidal Wave</a>  <a href="/wiki/Killed_in_action" title="Killed in action"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Old English Text MT',serif"><b>†</b></span></a></li></ul></li></ul></li></ul> </td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label" style="padding-right: 1em">Awards</th><td class="infobox-data"><a href="/wiki/Medal_of_Honor" title="Medal of Honor">Medal of Honor</a><br /><a href="/wiki/Silver_Star" title="Silver Star">Silver Star</a><br /><a href="/wiki/Distinguished_Flying_Cross_(United_States)" title="Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)">Distinguished Flying Cross</a><br /><a href="/wiki/Purple_Heart" title="Purple Heart">Purple Heart</a><br /><a href="/wiki/Air_Medal" title="Air Medal">Air Medal</a> (4)</td></tr></tbody></table> <p><b>John Louis Jerstad</b> (February 12, 1918 – August 1, 1943) was a <a href="/wiki/United_States_Army_Air_Forces" title="United States Army Air Forces">United States Army Air Forces</a> officer who was posthumously awarded the <a href="/wiki/United_States" title="United States">United States</a> military's highest decoration, the <a href="/wiki/Medal_of_Honor" title="Medal of Honor">Medal of Honor</a>. He received the medal for his actions as a <a href="/wiki/B-24" class="mw-redirect" title="B-24">B-24</a> pilot during a raid on <a href="/wiki/Ploie%C5%9Fti" class="mw-redirect" title="Ploieşti">Ploieşti</a>, <a href="/wiki/Romania" title="Romania">Romania</a>, in <a href="/wiki/World_War_II" title="World War II">World War II</a>. </p> <meta property="mw:PageProp/toc" /> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="Early_life">Early life</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=John_L._Jerstad&action=edit&section=1" title="Edit section: Early life"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>Born and raised in <a href="/wiki/Racine,_Wisconsin" title="Racine, Wisconsin">Racine, Wisconsin</a>, Jerstad was the older of two children of Art and Alice Jerstad. His sister Mary was four years his junior.<sup id="cite_ref-jt20081011_1-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-jt20081011-1"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>1<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Jerstad attended <a href="/wiki/Washington_Park_High_School" title="Washington Park High School">Washington Park High School</a> and, after graduating in 1936, went on to <a href="/wiki/Northwestern_University" title="Northwestern University">Northwestern University</a>, earning a degree there in 1940. He participated in <a href="/wiki/Boy_Scouts_of_America" title="Boy Scouts of America">Boy Scouts</a> and <a href="/wiki/Sea_Scout" title="Sea Scout">Sea Scouts</a>, and while in college he returned to Racine during the summers to run a children's day camp. He taught school for a year in <a href="/wiki/La_Due,_Missouri" class="mw-redirect" title="La Due, Missouri">La Due, Missouri</a>, before enlisting in the <a href="/wiki/United_States_Army_Air_Forces" title="United States Army Air Forces">United States Army Air Forces</a> in July 1941.<sup id="cite_ref-kent_2-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-kent-2"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>2<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="Military_service">Military service</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=John_L._Jerstad&action=edit&section=2" title="Edit section: Military service"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <figure class="mw-default-size" typeof="mw:File/Thumb"><a href="/wiki/File:Fire_Over_Ploesti_by_Roy_Grinnell.jpg" class="mw-file-description"><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2e/Fire_Over_Ploesti_by_Roy_Grinnell.jpg/310px-Fire_Over_Ploesti_by_Roy_Grinnell.jpg" decoding="async" width="310" height="201" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2e/Fire_Over_Ploesti_by_Roy_Grinnell.jpg/465px-Fire_Over_Ploesti_by_Roy_Grinnell.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2e/Fire_Over_Ploesti_by_Roy_Grinnell.jpg/620px-Fire_Over_Ploesti_by_Roy_Grinnell.jpg 2x" data-file-width="6048" data-file-height="3926" /></a><figcaption>Roy Grinnell's painting <i>Fire over Ploesti</i> depicts Jerstad's badly damaged bomber over the oil refineries at Ploesti, Romania</figcaption></figure> <p>Jerstad enlisted as an aviation cadet at <a href="/wiki/Milwaukee,_Wisconsin" class="mw-redirect" title="Milwaukee, Wisconsin">Milwaukee, Wisconsin</a>, on July 12, 1941. He trained at <a href="/wiki/Ontario,_California" title="Ontario, California">Ontario, California</a>, and <a href="/wiki/Luke_Air_Force_Base" title="Luke Air Force Base">Luke Field</a>, <a href="/wiki/Arizona" title="Arizona">Arizona</a>. He was commissioned on February 6, 1942 and served with the <a href="/wiki/98th_Bombardment_Group" class="mw-redirect" title="98th Bombardment Group">98th</a> and <a href="/wiki/93rd_Bombardment_Group" class="mw-redirect" title="93rd Bombardment Group">93rd Bomb Groups</a> at <a href="/wiki/Barksdale_Field" class="mw-redirect" title="Barksdale Field">Barksdale Field</a>, <a href="/wiki/Louisiana" title="Louisiana">Louisiana</a>. In October 1942, he went to Europe with the 93rd and flew B-24s with the 328th Bomb Squadron, as a captain. He was promoted to major in April 1943, and was assigned to the 2nd Bomb Wing headquarters a month later. He was picked by Colonel Edward L. Timberlake, former commander of the "Traveling Circus" to be Timberlake's chief operations officer.<sup id="cite_ref-usafbio_3-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-usafbio-3"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>3<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>By August 1943, he had completed more than his tour of missions. He was no longer directly connected with the 93rd Bomb Group.<sup id="cite_ref-usafbio_3-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-usafbio-3"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>3<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> He had conducted many of the missions in an aircraft nicknamed "Jerk's Natural"; "Jerk" was a reference to his own name, Jack Jerstad, and "Natural" referred to the fact the plane's serial numbers added to 7 and 11, a "natural" in <a href="/wiki/Dice_game" class="mw-redirect" title="Dice game">dice games</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-jt20081011_1-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-jt20081011-1"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>1<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> When Jerstad heard of the upcoming low-level bombing mission against the oil refineries at Ploieşti, Romania, he volunteered to lead a formation. The mission was <a href="/wiki/Operation_Tidal_Wave" title="Operation Tidal Wave">Operation Tidal Wave</a>, in which 179 B-24s took off on an 18-hour, 2,400 mile round-trip mission to destroy the largest of the oil refineries at Ploieşti, 30 miles north of <a href="/wiki/Bucharest" title="Bucharest">Bucharest</a>, Romania. This mission, conducted on August 1, 1943, ended with five U.S. Air Force airmen, including Maj. John L. Jerstad, earning the Medal of Honor; three, including Jerstad, posthumously. Sixty aircraft were lost on the mission.<sup id="cite_ref-usafbio_3-2" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-usafbio-3"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>3<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>Three miles from the target, Jerstad's bomber, nicknamed "Hell's Wench", was badly damaged and set aflame by enemy ground fire.<sup id="cite_ref-jt20081011_1-2" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-jt20081011-1"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>1<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-usafbio_3-3" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-usafbio-3"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>3<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> More than 230 <a href="/wiki/Anti-aircraft_gun" class="mw-redirect" title="Anti-aircraft gun">anti-aircraft guns</a>, supported by many <a href="/wiki/Barrage_balloon" title="Barrage balloon">barrage balloons</a> and <a href="/wiki/Smoke_signal" title="Smoke signal">smoke pots</a>, surrounded the refineries, with more than 400 fighters in the area. Ignoring the fact he was flying above a field suitable for a forced landing, he kept on course. After the bombs were released on the target, the fire in his aircraft became so intense that it made further progress impossible, and the B-24 crashed into the target area.<sup id="cite_ref-usafbio_3-4" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-usafbio-3"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>3<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Jerstad was listed as <a href="/wiki/Missing_in_action" title="Missing in action">missing in action</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-jt20081011_1-3" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-jt20081011-1"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>1<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>For these actions, he was awarded the Medal of Honor on October 28, 1943.<sup id="cite_ref-usafbio_3-5" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-usafbio-3"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>3<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> His family accepted the medal on his behalf during a presentation ceremony at Holy Communion Church in Racine.<sup id="cite_ref-jt20081011_1-4" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-jt20081011-1"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>1<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="Awards_and_honors">Awards and honors</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=John_L._Jerstad&action=edit&section=3" title="Edit section: Awards and honors"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <table style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;"> <tbody><tr> <td colspan="3"><span typeof="mw:File"><a href="/wiki/File:USAAF_Wings.png" class="mw-file-description"><img alt="" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/31/USAAF_Wings.png/206px-USAAF_Wings.png" decoding="async" width="206" height="61" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/31/USAAF_Wings.png/309px-USAAF_Wings.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/31/USAAF_Wings.png/412px-USAAF_Wings.png 2x" data-file-width="600" data-file-height="178" /></a></span> </td></tr> <tr> <td><span typeof="mw:File"><a href="/wiki/File:Medal_of_Honor_ribbon.svg" class="mw-file-description"><img alt="" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0e/Medal_of_Honor_ribbon.svg/110px-Medal_of_Honor_ribbon.svg.png" decoding="async" width="110" height="30" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0e/Medal_of_Honor_ribbon.svg/165px-Medal_of_Honor_ribbon.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0e/Medal_of_Honor_ribbon.svg/220px-Medal_of_Honor_ribbon.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="1024" data-file-height="279" /></a></span> </td> <td><span typeof="mw:File"><a href="/wiki/File:Silver_Star_Medal_ribbon.svg" class="mw-file-description"><img alt="" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/84/Silver_Star_Medal_ribbon.svg/110px-Silver_Star_Medal_ribbon.svg.png" decoding="async" width="110" height="30" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/84/Silver_Star_Medal_ribbon.svg/165px-Silver_Star_Medal_ribbon.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/84/Silver_Star_Medal_ribbon.svg/220px-Silver_Star_Medal_ribbon.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="1024" data-file-height="279" /></a></span> </td> <td><span typeof="mw:File"><a href="/wiki/File:Distinguished_Flying_Cross_ribbon.svg" class="mw-file-description"><img alt="" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/81/Distinguished_Flying_Cross_ribbon.svg/110px-Distinguished_Flying_Cross_ribbon.svg.png" decoding="async" width="110" height="30" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/81/Distinguished_Flying_Cross_ribbon.svg/165px-Distinguished_Flying_Cross_ribbon.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/81/Distinguished_Flying_Cross_ribbon.svg/220px-Distinguished_Flying_Cross_ribbon.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="218" data-file-height="60" /></a></span> </td></tr> <tr> <td><span typeof="mw:File"><a href="/wiki/File:Purple_Heart_ribbon.svg" class="mw-file-description"><img alt="" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e3/Purple_Heart_ribbon.svg/110px-Purple_Heart_ribbon.svg.png" decoding="async" width="110" height="30" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e3/Purple_Heart_ribbon.svg/165px-Purple_Heart_ribbon.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e3/Purple_Heart_ribbon.svg/220px-Purple_Heart_ribbon.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="218" data-file-height="60" /></a></span> </td> <td><div style="position:relative; width:110px; border:none; line-height:1.5em; display:-moz-inline-stack; display:inline-block; zoom:1; *display:inline;"><div style="position:relative; display:inline-block;"><div style="position: absolute; left: 13px; top: 5px; padding: 0;"><span typeof="mw:File"><a href="/wiki/File:Bronze_oak_leaf-3d.svg" class="mw-file-description" title="Bronze oak leaf cluster"><img alt="Bronze oak leaf cluster" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e5/Bronze_oak_leaf-3d.svg/22px-Bronze_oak_leaf-3d.svg.png" decoding="async" width="22" height="19" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e5/Bronze_oak_leaf-3d.svg/33px-Bronze_oak_leaf-3d.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e5/Bronze_oak_leaf-3d.svg/44px-Bronze_oak_leaf-3d.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="297" data-file-height="252" /></a></span></div><div style="position: absolute; left: 43px; top: 5px; padding: 0;"><span typeof="mw:File"><a href="/wiki/File:Bronze_oak_leaf-3d.svg" class="mw-file-description" title="Bronze oak leaf cluster"><img alt="Bronze oak leaf cluster" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e5/Bronze_oak_leaf-3d.svg/22px-Bronze_oak_leaf-3d.svg.png" decoding="async" width="22" height="19" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e5/Bronze_oak_leaf-3d.svg/33px-Bronze_oak_leaf-3d.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e5/Bronze_oak_leaf-3d.svg/44px-Bronze_oak_leaf-3d.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="297" data-file-height="252" /></a></span></div><div style="position: absolute; left: 73px; top: 5px; padding: 0;"><span typeof="mw:File"><a href="/wiki/File:Bronze_oak_leaf-3d.svg" class="mw-file-description" title="Bronze oak leaf cluster"><img alt="Bronze oak leaf cluster" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e5/Bronze_oak_leaf-3d.svg/22px-Bronze_oak_leaf-3d.svg.png" decoding="async" width="22" height="19" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e5/Bronze_oak_leaf-3d.svg/33px-Bronze_oak_leaf-3d.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e5/Bronze_oak_leaf-3d.svg/44px-Bronze_oak_leaf-3d.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="297" data-file-height="252" /></a></span></div><span typeof="mw:File"><a href="/wiki/File:Air_Medal_ribbon.svg" class="mw-file-description"><img alt="" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1a/Air_Medal_ribbon.svg/110px-Air_Medal_ribbon.svg.png" decoding="async" width="110" height="30" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1a/Air_Medal_ribbon.svg/165px-Air_Medal_ribbon.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1a/Air_Medal_ribbon.svg/220px-Air_Medal_ribbon.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="218" data-file-height="60" /></a></span></div></div> </td> <td><span typeof="mw:File"><a href="/wiki/File:American_Defense_Service_Medal_ribbon.svg" class="mw-file-description"><img alt="" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/ca/American_Defense_Service_Medal_ribbon.svg/110px-American_Defense_Service_Medal_ribbon.svg.png" decoding="async" width="110" height="30" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/ca/American_Defense_Service_Medal_ribbon.svg/165px-American_Defense_Service_Medal_ribbon.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/ca/American_Defense_Service_Medal_ribbon.svg/220px-American_Defense_Service_Medal_ribbon.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="1024" data-file-height="279" /></a></span> </td></tr> <tr> <td><span typeof="mw:File"><a href="/wiki/File:American_Campaign_Medal_ribbon.svg" class="mw-file-description"><img alt="" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e0/American_Campaign_Medal_ribbon.svg/110px-American_Campaign_Medal_ribbon.svg.png" decoding="async" width="110" height="30" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e0/American_Campaign_Medal_ribbon.svg/165px-American_Campaign_Medal_ribbon.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e0/American_Campaign_Medal_ribbon.svg/220px-American_Campaign_Medal_ribbon.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="1024" data-file-height="279" /></a></span> </td> <td><div style="position:relative; 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text-align:center;"> <tbody><tr> <td colspan="3"><a href="/wiki/United_States_Aviator_Badge" title="United States Aviator Badge">Army Air Forces Pilot Badge</a> </td></tr> <tr> <td><a href="/wiki/Medal_of_Honor" title="Medal of Honor">Medal of Honor</a> </td> <td><a href="/wiki/Silver_Star" title="Silver Star">Silver Star</a> </td> <td><a href="/wiki/Distinguished_Flying_Cross_(United_States)" title="Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)">Distinguished Flying Cross</a> </td></tr> <tr> <td><a href="/wiki/Purple_Heart" title="Purple Heart">Purple Heart</a> </td> <td><a href="/wiki/Air_Medal" title="Air Medal">Air Medal</a><br />with three bronze <a href="/wiki/Oak_leaf_cluster" title="Oak leaf cluster">oak leaf clusters</a> </td> <td><a href="/wiki/American_Defense_Service_Medal" title="American Defense Service Medal">American Defense Service Medal</a> </td></tr> <tr> <td><a href="/wiki/American_Campaign_Medal" title="American Campaign Medal">American Campaign Medal</a> </td> <td><a href="/wiki/European%E2%80%93African%E2%80%93Middle_Eastern_Campaign_Medal" title="European–African–Middle Eastern Campaign Medal">European–African–Middle Eastern Campaign Medal</a><br />with two bronze <a href="/wiki/Campaign_star" class="mw-redirect" title="Campaign star">campaign stars</a> </td> <td><a href="/wiki/World_War_II_Victory_Medal" title="World War II Victory Medal">World War II Victory Medal</a> </td></tr></tbody></table> <table style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;"> <tbody><tr> <td colspan="3"><span typeof="mw:File"><a href="/wiki/File:U.S._Army_and_U.S._Air_Force_Presidential_Unit_Citation_ribbon.svg" class="mw-file-description"><img alt="" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/94/U.S._Army_and_U.S._Air_Force_Presidential_Unit_Citation_ribbon.svg/110px-U.S._Army_and_U.S._Air_Force_Presidential_Unit_Citation_ribbon.svg.png" decoding="async" width="110" height="42" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/94/U.S._Army_and_U.S._Air_Force_Presidential_Unit_Citation_ribbon.svg/165px-U.S._Army_and_U.S._Air_Force_Presidential_Unit_Citation_ribbon.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/94/U.S._Army_and_U.S._Air_Force_Presidential_Unit_Citation_ribbon.svg/220px-U.S._Army_and_U.S._Air_Force_Presidential_Unit_Citation_ribbon.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="106" data-file-height="40" /></a></span> </td></tr> </tbody></table> <table class="wikitable" style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;"> <tbody><tr> <td colspan="3"><a href="/wiki/Presidential_Unit_Citation_(United_States)" title="Presidential Unit Citation (United States)">Army Presidential Unit Citation</a> </td></tr> </tbody></table> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Medal_of_Honor_Citation">Medal of Honor Citation</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=John_L._Jerstad&action=edit&section=4" title="Edit section: Medal of Honor Citation"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>Jerstad's official Medal of Honor citation reads as follows: </p> <blockquote><figure class="mw-default-size" typeof="mw:File/Thumb"><a href="/wiki/File:John_L._Jerstad.jpg" class="mw-file-description"><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/50/John_L._Jerstad.jpg/220px-John_L._Jerstad.jpg" decoding="async" width="220" height="264" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/50/John_L._Jerstad.jpg/330px-John_L._Jerstad.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/50/John_L._Jerstad.jpg 2x" data-file-width="402" data-file-height="482" /></a><figcaption>John L. Jerstad, U.S. Air Force Photo</figcaption></figure><p>For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty. On 1 August 1943, he served as pilot of the lead aircraft in his group in a daring low-level attack against enemy oil refineries and installations at Ploesti, Romania. Although he had completed more than his share of missions and was no longer connected with this group, so high was his conception of duty that he volunteered to lead the formation in the correct belief that his participation would contribute materially to success in this attack. Maj. Jerstad led the formation into attack with full realization of the extreme hazards involved and despite withering fire from heavy and light antiaircraft guns. Three miles from the target his airplane was hit, badly damaged, and set on fire. Ignoring the fact that he was flying over a field suitable for a forced landing, he kept on the course. After the bombs of his aircraft were released on the target, the fire in his ship became so intense as to make further progress impossible and he crashed into the target area. By his voluntary acceptance of a mission he knew was extremely hazardous, and his assumption of an intrepid course of action at the risk of life over and above the call of duty, Maj. Jerstad set an example of heroism which will be an inspiration to the U.S. Armed Forces.<sup id="cite_ref-citation_4-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-citation-4"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>4<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup></p></blockquote> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Legacy">Legacy</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=John_L._Jerstad&action=edit&section=5" title="Edit section: Legacy"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <figure class="mw-default-size" typeof="mw:File/Thumb"><a href="/wiki/File:Johnlouisjerstad.jpg" class="mw-file-description"><img alt="Gravestone of Major John L. Jerstad" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/02/Johnlouisjerstad.jpg/220px-Johnlouisjerstad.jpg" decoding="async" width="220" height="177" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/02/Johnlouisjerstad.jpg/330px-Johnlouisjerstad.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/02/Johnlouisjerstad.jpg/440px-Johnlouisjerstad.jpg 2x" data-file-width="595" data-file-height="480" /></a><figcaption>Jerstad's grave at Ardennes American Cemetery</figcaption></figure> <p>Seven years after his aircraft was shot down, the military notified Jerstad's family that his remains had been located. He was buried at the <a href="/wiki/Ardennes_American_Cemetery_and_Memorial" title="Ardennes American Cemetery and Memorial">Ardennes American Cemetery</a> near <a href="/wiki/Neupr%C3%A9" title="Neupré">Neupré</a>, <a href="/wiki/Belgium" title="Belgium">Belgium</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-jt20081011_1-5" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-jt20081011-1"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>1<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p><a href="/wiki/Jerstad-Agerholm_Elementary/Middle_School" class="mw-redirect" title="Jerstad-Agerholm Elementary/Middle School">Jerstad-Agerholm Elementary/Middle School</a> in Racine is named in honor of Jerstad and fellow Medal of Honor recipient and Racine native <a href="/wiki/Harold_C._Agerholm" title="Harold C. Agerholm">Harold C. Agerholm</a>. The Legacy Museum, run by the Racine Veterans Center, includes an exhibit of photographs and artifacts relating to the two men.<sup id="cite_ref-jt20081011_1-6" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-jt20081011-1"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>1<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="See_also">See also</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=John_L._Jerstad&action=edit&section=6" title="Edit section: See also"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1239009302">.mw-parser-output .portalbox{padding:0;margin:0.5em 0;display:table;box-sizing:border-box;max-width:175px;list-style:none}.mw-parser-output .portalborder{border:1px solid var(--border-color-base,#a2a9b1);padding:0.1em;background:var(--background-color-neutral-subtle,#f8f9fa)}.mw-parser-output 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data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1239543626">.mw-parser-output .reflist{margin-bottom:0.5em;list-style-type:decimal}@media screen{.mw-parser-output .reflist{font-size:90%}}.mw-parser-output .reflist .references{font-size:100%;margin-bottom:0;list-style-type:inherit}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns-2{column-width:30em}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns-3{column-width:25em}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns{margin-top:0.3em}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns ol{margin-top:0}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns li{page-break-inside:avoid;break-inside:avoid-column}.mw-parser-output .reflist-upper-alpha{list-style-type:upper-alpha}.mw-parser-output .reflist-upper-roman{list-style-type:upper-roman}.mw-parser-output .reflist-lower-alpha{list-style-type:lower-alpha}.mw-parser-output .reflist-lower-greek{list-style-type:lower-greek}.mw-parser-output .reflist-lower-roman{list-style-type:lower-roman}</style><div class="reflist"> <div class="mw-references-wrap"><ol class="references"> <li id="cite_note-jt20081011-1"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-jt20081011_1-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-jt20081011_1-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-jt20081011_1-2"><sup><i><b>c</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-jt20081011_1-3"><sup><i><b>d</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-jt20081011_1-4"><sup><i><b>e</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-jt20081011_1-5"><sup><i><b>f</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-jt20081011_1-6"><sup><i><b>g</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text"><style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1238218222">.mw-parser-output cite.citation{font-style:inherit;word-wrap:break-word}.mw-parser-output .citation q{quotes:"\"""\"""'""'"}.mw-parser-output .citation:target{background-color:rgba(0,127,255,0.133)}.mw-parser-output .id-lock-free.id-lock-free a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/65/Lock-green.svg")right 0.1em center/9px no-repeat}.mw-parser-output .id-lock-limited.id-lock-limited a,.mw-parser-output .id-lock-registration.id-lock-registration a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d6/Lock-gray-alt-2.svg")right 0.1em center/9px no-repeat}.mw-parser-output .id-lock-subscription.id-lock-subscription a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/aa/Lock-red-alt-2.svg")right 0.1em center/9px no-repeat}.mw-parser-output .cs1-ws-icon a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4c/Wikisource-logo.svg")right 0.1em center/12px no-repeat}body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .id-lock-free a,body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .id-lock-limited a,body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .id-lock-registration a,body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .id-lock-subscription a,body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .cs1-ws-icon a{background-size:contain;padding:0 1em 0 0}.mw-parser-output .cs1-code{color:inherit;background:inherit;border:none;padding:inherit}.mw-parser-output .cs1-hidden-error{display:none;color:var(--color-error,#d33)}.mw-parser-output .cs1-visible-error{color:var(--color-error,#d33)}.mw-parser-output .cs1-maint{display:none;color:#085;margin-left:0.3em}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-left{padding-left:0.2em}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-right{padding-right:0.2em}.mw-parser-output .citation .mw-selflink{font-weight:inherit}@media screen{.mw-parser-output .cs1-format{font-size:95%}html.skin-theme-clientpref-night .mw-parser-output .cs1-maint{color:#18911f}}@media screen and (prefers-color-scheme:dark){html.skin-theme-clientpref-os .mw-parser-output .cs1-maint{color:#18911f}}</style><cite id="CITEREFWicklund2008" class="citation news cs1">Wicklund, Pete (October 11, 2008). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.journaltimes.com/articles/2008/10/11/local_news/doc48f182234c3fb210193869.txt">"Tribute honors fallen 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Retrieved <span class="nowrap">2009-08-11</span></span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=The+Journal+Times&rft.atitle=Tribute+honors+fallen+soldier&rft.date=2008-10-11&rft.aulast=Wicklund&rft.aufirst=Pete&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.journaltimes.com%2Farticles%2F2008%2F10%2F11%2Flocal_news%2Fdoc48f182234c3fb210193869.txt&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AJohn+L.+Jerstad" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-kent-2"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-kent_2-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFKent1952–1953" class="citation journal cs1">Kent, Alan E. (Winter 1952–1953). "Wisconsin and the Medal of Honor". <i>The Wisconsin Magazine of History</i>. <b>36</b> (2): 107.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=The+Wisconsin+Magazine+of+History&rft.atitle=Wisconsin+and+the+Medal+of+Honor&rft.ssn=winter&rft.volume=36&rft.issue=2&rft.pages=107&rft.date=1952%2F1953&rft.aulast=Kent&rft.aufirst=Alan+E.&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AJohn+L.+Jerstad" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-usafbio-3"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-usafbio_3-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-usafbio_3-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-usafbio_3-2"><sup><i><b>c</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-usafbio_3-3"><sup><i><b>d</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-usafbio_3-4"><sup><i><b>e</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-usafbio_3-5"><sup><i><b>f</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://archive.today/20121212202556/http://www.af.mil/information/heritage/person.asp?dec=&pid=123006487">"Maj. John L. Jerstad"</a>. <a href="/wiki/United_States_Air_Force" title="United States Air Force">United States Air Force</a>. Archived from <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.af.mil/information/heritage/person.asp?dec=&pid=123006487">the original</a> on 2012-12-12<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">2009-08-11</span></span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=unknown&rft.btitle=Maj.+John+L.+Jerstad&rft.pub=United+States+Air+Force&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.af.mil%2Finformation%2Fheritage%2Fperson.asp%3Fdec%3D%26pid%3D123006487&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AJohn+L.+Jerstad" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-citation-4"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-citation_4-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20090805093227/http://www.history.army.mil/html/moh/wwII-g-l.html">"Medal of Honor recipients - World War II (G–L)"</a>. <i>Medal of Honor citations</i>. <a href="/wiki/United_States_Army_Center_of_Military_History" title="United States Army Center of Military History">United States Army Center of Military History</a>. August 3, 2009. Archived from <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.history.army.mil/html/moh/wwII-g-l.html">the original</a> on 2009-08-05<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">2009-08-10</span></span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=Medal+of+Honor+citations&rft.atitle=Medal+of+Honor+recipients+-+World+War+II+%28G%E2%80%93L%29&rft.date=2009-08-03&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.history.army.mil%2Fhtml%2Fmoh%2FwwII-g-l.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AJohn+L.+Jerstad" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> </ol></div></div> <ul><li><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.airforce-magazine.com/MagazineArchive/Pages/1988/September%201988/0988valor.aspx">John L. Frisbee, "Into the Mouth of Hell", <i>Air Force Magazine</i>, September 1988</a></li></ul>    </div><noscript><img src="https://login.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:CentralAutoLogin/start?type=1x1" alt="" width="1" height="1" style="border: none; position: absolute;"></noscript> <div class="printfooter" data-nosnippet="">Retrieved from "<a dir="ltr" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=John_L._Jerstad&oldid=1259192177">https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=John_L._Jerstad&oldid=1259192177</a>"</div></div> <div id="catlinks" class="catlinks" data-mw="interface"><div id="mw-normal-catlinks" class="mw-normal-catlinks"><a href="/wiki/Help:Category" title="Help:Category">Categories</a>: <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Category:1918_births" title="Category:1918 births">1918 births</a></li><li><a href="/wiki/Category:1943_deaths" title="Category:1943 deaths">1943 deaths</a></li><li><a href="/wiki/Category:Aerial_disappearances_of_military_personnel_in_action" title="Category:Aerial disappearances of military personnel in action">Aerial disappearances of military personnel in action</a></li><li><a href="/wiki/Category:Aviators_killed_by_being_shot_down" title="Category:Aviators killed by being shot down">Aviators killed by being shot down</a></li><li><a href="/wiki/Category:United_States_Army_Air_Forces_Medal_of_Honor_recipients" title="Category:United States Army Air Forces Medal of Honor recipients">United States Army Air Forces Medal of Honor recipients</a></li><li><a href="/wiki/Category:People_from_Racine,_Wisconsin" title="Category:People from Racine, Wisconsin">People from Racine, Wisconsin</a></li><li><a href="/wiki/Category:Northwestern_University_alumni" title="Category:Northwestern University alumni">Northwestern University alumni</a></li><li><a href="/wiki/Category:United_States_Army_Air_Forces_personnel_killed_in_World_War_II" title="Category:United States Army Air Forces personnel killed in World War II">United States Army Air Forces personnel killed in World War II</a></li><li><a href="/wiki/Category:Military_personnel_from_Wisconsin" title="Category:Military personnel from Wisconsin">Military personnel from Wisconsin</a></li><li><a href="/wiki/Category:Aviators_from_Wisconsin" title="Category:Aviators from Wisconsin">Aviators from Wisconsin</a></li><li><a href="/wiki/Category:Missing_in_action_of_World_War_II" title="Category:Missing in action of World War II">Missing in action of World War II</a></li><li><a href="/wiki/Category:Burials_at_Ardennes_American_Cemetery_and_Memorial" title="Category:Burials at Ardennes American Cemetery and Memorial">Burials at Ardennes American Cemetery and Memorial</a></li><li><a href="/wiki/Category:Recipients_of_the_Distinguished_Flying_Cross_(United_States)" title="Category:Recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)">Recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)</a></li><li><a href="/wiki/Category:Recipients_of_the_Air_Medal" title="Category:Recipients of the Air Medal">Recipients of the Air Medal</a></li><li><a href="/wiki/Category:Recipients_of_the_Silver_Star" title="Category:Recipients of the Silver Star">Recipients of the Silver Star</a></li><li><a href="/wiki/Category:United_States_Army_Air_Forces_officers" title="Category:United States Army Air Forces officers">United States Army Air Forces officers</a></li><li><a href="/wiki/Category:United_States_Army_Air_Forces_pilots_of_World_War_II" title="Category:United States Army Air Forces pilots of World War II">United States Army Air Forces pilots of World War II</a></li><li><a href="/wiki/Category:World_War_II_recipients_of_the_Medal_of_Honor" title="Category:World War II recipients of the Medal of Honor">World War II recipients of the Medal of Honor</a></li></ul></div><div id="mw-hidden-catlinks" class="mw-hidden-catlinks mw-hidden-cats-hidden">Hidden category: <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Category:Pages_using_infobox_military_person_with_both_image_and_medal" title="Category:Pages using infobox military person with both image and medal">Pages using infobox military person with both image and medal</a></li></ul></div></div> </div> </main> </div> <div class="mw-footer-container"> <footer id="footer" class="mw-footer" > <ul id="footer-info"> <li id="footer-info-lastmod"> This page was last edited on 23 November 2024, at 21:49<span class="anonymous-show"> (UTC)</span>.</li> <li id="footer-info-copyright">Text is available under the <a href="/wiki/Wikipedia:Text_of_the_Creative_Commons_Attribution-ShareAlike_4.0_International_License" title="Wikipedia:Text of the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License">Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License</a>; additional terms may apply. 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