Ilion High School - Class of 1946

Herkimer Evening Telegram - November 26, 1954

Change in Status

Ilion Airman Posthumously Given Medal

Article 4

Source pdf file is here Herkimer NY Evening Telegram 1954 02837.pdf on fultonhistory.com

Herkimer Evening Telegram - Ilion Airman Posthumously Given Medal - 1946

Ilion Airman Posthumously Given Medal

ILION - A Silver Star Medal has been posthumously awarded Lt. James H. Allston, son of Mr, and Mrs. James Allston, 32 John St.

The airman was shot-down in Korea on June 16, 1953 while making his ninth combat mission.

The award was received by his parents with an accompanying citation which reads:

"Lt. James H. Allston distinguished himself by gallantry in action while participating in aerial flight as a pilot with the 18th Fighter Bomber Wing, Fifth Air Force, on June 16, 1953."

"Flying Number 2 position in a flight of four F-86 type aircraft, Lt. Allston displayed outstanding airmanship and aggressiveness when he unhesitatingly assumed the lead after his flight leader had been hit, and attacked through an intensive network of automatic weapons fire in a courageous effort to destroy the enemy."

"Bombing and strafing with deadly accuracy, Lt. Allston continued his attack and was hit at the bottom of his run. He then made a vaient attempt to right his crippled plane but it crashed into the ground and exploded."

"Lt. Allston heroically and gallantly demonstrated his personal and unflinching devotion to duty for a cause in which he believed. Through his indomitable spirit and boundless devotion to duty, Lt. Allston has brought credit upon himself and the United States Air Force."

The citation was signed by Howard P. Mann. Major, USAF.

Created and maintained by Aileen Carney Sweeney - Class of 1974