Capt. George W. Tompkins

TOMPKINS

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 4/30/2010 at 07:26:00

Jackson Sentinel, Maquoketa, Iowa, October 27, 1944

Capt. Geo. W. Tompkins Awarded Distinguished Flying Cross

15th AAF IN ITALY-
Capt. George W. Tompkins, son of Mr. and Mrs. Joe Tompkins, 317 West Pleasant Street, Maquoketa, Iowa, has been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement in aerial combat. Capt. Tompkins, 15th Air Force Liberator pilot successfully brought his damaged bomber home from Germany after twice being shot up by flak. The formation was just turning on the bombing run when flak shot out one engine. The Liberator staggered, but Capt. Tompkins was able to keep it in formation long enough to drop his bombs on the aircraft factory. The group was in the rally when more flak hit the rudder controls, forcing Tompkins to fall out of formation. He brought the bomber under control after leaving the group and started limping home alone with one engine out and another drawing only half power. They successfully skirted the enemy flak and fighter areas and were just taking a deep breath when more flak began coming up from the coast of Yugo-Slavia. The flak hit another engine starting a bad oil leak that left them with only one engine drawing full power. But Tompkins skirted the hills of Italy and set the bomber down in a difficult landing.

Capt. Tompkins entered the Air Force in 1942 and joined his present group in 1943 for combat training. He came to Italy several months ago and recently flew his 50th combat mission for the Liberator group commanded by Lt. Col. John P. Tomhave, Montevideo, Minnesota. Capt Tompkins now wears the Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters. Capt. Tompkins is now home on furlough, having arrived early this week.