Willard W. Millikan

Willard Wesley Millikan (December 4, 1918 - October 20, 1978) was a United States Air Force Major General and a flying ace, who was credited with destroying 13 enemy aircraft in aerial combat during World War II. He retired in 1969, after 28 years of distinguished service.

Early life Millikan was born in 1918 at Hamburg, Iowa, the second of five children of John Reily Millikan and Hattie Mae Moore Millikan. After graduating from high school, he attended at the Nebraska State Teachers College in Peru, Nebraska.

Military career In 1941, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps as an aviation cadet at Fort Leavenworth in Kansas. He served as an aviation cadet until October 1941, when he accepted a discharge after failing to pass flight checks. He enlisted in the Royal Air Force at Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he earned his pilot wings and was assigned as a Flying Sergeant. Stationed in England, he flew combat missions in Hawker Hurricane and Supermarine Spitfire fighters with the No. 133 Squadron.

World War II

After the United States entry into World War II, Millikan was transferred to the U.S. Army Air Forces and commissioned as a second lieutenant in October 1942. In February 1943, he joined the 4th Fighter Group at RAF Debden in England. Flying the P-47 Thunderbolt, he scored his first aerial victory on September 27, 1943, when he shot down a Focke-Wulf Fw 190. He scored further two more victories in the P-47 in December 20, 1943 and February 10, 1944, before the 4th FG converted into North American P-51 Mustangs.

While flying the P-51s, he scored his fourth aerial victory on March 3, 1944. On April 8, 1944, while leading a bomber escort mission over Uelzen, Germany, he led his flight in attacking a formation of 100 German fighters that attempted to intercept the bombers. In the subsequent air battle, Millikan shot down three Messerschmitt Bf 109s and managed to disperse the remaining large flight of enemy fighters. With a total of seven aerial victories, he became a flying ace and received the Distinguished Service Cross for his heroism in the mission.

Progressing from second lieutenant to captain, he became commander of the 336th Fighter Squadron of the 4th Fighter Group in April 1944. On April 19, 1944, he shot down a Bf 109 over Eschwege, his eighth aerial victory. On April 22, he shot down four Bf 109s during a bomber escort over Sachsenhausen, for which he received the Silver Star. On May 22, 1944, he shot down a Bf 109 over Kiel, his 13th and last aerial victory.

Distinguished Service Cross citation

Millikan, Willard W. First Lieutenant, U.S. Army Air Forces 336th Fighter Squadron, 4th Fighter Group, Eighth Air force Date of Action: April 8, 1944

Citation:

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Willard Wesley Millikan, United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-51 Fighter Airplane in the 366th Fighter Squadron, 4th Fighter Group, Eighth Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces on 8 April 1944, in the European Theater of Operations. On this date, First Lieutenant Millikan was leading a flight of four fighters on a bomber escort mission over Germany. In the area of Ulzen, Germany, approximately one hundred enemy fighters in three waves attempted to intercept the bombers. Despite the overwhelming odds against him, Lieutenant Millikan immediately led his flight in attack against the first wave, destroyed one and dispersed the others. During this action, one member of Lieutenant Millikan's flight was lost. Regardless of the enemy superiority he proceeded to intercept the second wave of enemy planes. En route he destroyed an enemy fighter airplane which was attacking a friendly fighter. Reforming his section, he began climbing for altitude to engage the enemy. Observing a friendly fighter being attacked, he viciously engaged the enemy airplane and forced the pilot to bail out after which he once more attacked and dispersed the remaining large flight of enemy planes. By his gallantry and determination to destroy the enemy Lieutenant Millikan rendered conspicuous and valorous service to our nation. First Lieutenant Millikan's unquestionable valor in aerial combat is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 8th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.