Harry James Dayhuff
MilitaryUSAAF Photo.
Assigned to 82FS, 78FG, 8AF USAAF. Transferred to HQ Sqn, 78FG, 8AF USAAF. Transferred to VIII fighter Command. Transferred to HQ Sqn, 4FG, 8AF USAAF. Flew 108 x missions.
Awards: SS, DFC (OLC), AM (6OLC), Croix de Guerre, WWII Victory, EAME.
Silver Star Citation;
"The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel Harry J. Dayhuff (ASN: 0-404135), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action while serving with the EIGHTH Air Force, while leading a Fighter Group as escort for Flying Fortresses on a bombing mission over Germany, 27 September 1943. This was one of the longest and most hazardous bomber escort missions yet accomplished in this theater and the success with which it was completed was largely due to the gallant leadership and aggressiveness of Colonel Dayhuff. Though out-numbered by the enemy fighters attacking the formation, his Group zealously sought out and destroyed nine enemy planes, while successfully defending the bombers. Maximum protection was afforded the formation, without the loss of a single fighter aircraft. The gallantry, skill and aggressive leadership displayed by Colonel Dayhuff on this occasion reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States."
Connections
See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.
Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Unit Hierarchy: Command
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
- Nicknames: Hun Ram-Er / Mackie
- Unit: 78th Fighter Group 82nd Fighter Squadron
- Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
- Unit: 78th Fighter Group 82nd Fighter Squadron
- Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang
- Nicknames: Johnetta IV
- Unit: 355th Fighter Group 4th Fighter Group 336th Fighter Squadron 357th Fighter Squadron
Events
Event | Location | Date | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Born |
Ogden, UT | 13 September 1918 | Son of Huston and Eva Mae [McReynolds] Dayhuff. |
Based |
Duxford | 11 May 1942 - 8 August 1943 | Assigned to 82FS, 78FG, 8AF USAAF. |
Based |
Duxford | 8 August 1943 - 14 July 1944 | Transferred to HQ Sqn, 78FG, 8AF USAAF. |
Based |
14 July 1944 - 7 December 1944 | Transferred to VIII fighter Command. | |
Based |
Debden | 7 December 1944 - 21 February 1945 | Became Group Commander of the 4th Fighter Group base at Debden 7-Dec-44, until 21-Feb-45. |
Died |
Ogden, UT | 7 January 2006 | |
Buried |
Washington Heights Memorial Park Ogden, Weber County, UT | 13 January 2006 | Washington Heights Memorial Park Ogden, Weber County, Utah |
Revisions
https://www.fold3.com/record/71519711-harry-j-dayhuff
https://www.fold3.com/record/627503181-harry-dayhuff-1918
https://www.fold3.com/image/209196079?terms=Harry%20Dayhuff
https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/46574
http://www.4thfightergroupassociation.org/uploads/8/2/0/3/8203817/hq_da…
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/130672433/harry-james-dayhuff
AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS OF WORLD WAR II - https://media.defense.gov/2010/Sep/21/2001330256/-1/-1/0/AFD-100921-044…
"The Mighty Eighth", Roger Freeman.