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Olean Times Herald.....______ 31, 1944.......COL. FAY R. UPTHEGROVE
GETS OAK LEAF CLUSTER.........Fifteenth Army Air
Force>>>>>>>>>>Colonel Fay R. Upthegrove, Commanding Officer of a
B-24 Liberator heavy bombardment wing, has received the Oak Leak Cluster
to the Distinguished Flying Cross, Fifteenth AAF Headquarters
announced.>>>>>>>The award was made by Major General Nathan F.
Twining, Commanding General of the Fifteenth Army Air Force, at a B-24
Bomber base in Italy. >>>>>>>Col. Upthegrove received the award for
"extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a pilot of a
B-17. On the night of July 9, 1943, after working almost without rest for the
previous forty-eight hours, Col. Upthegrove led his group on a secret mission
which he had planned and co-ordinated himself. Displaying extraordinary
professional skill and cool leadership, Col. Upthegrove directed the flight with
such precision, the mission was an outstanding success. Col. Upthegrove's
proficiency and faithfulness in discharging his responsibilities, have
contributed much to the pioneering of new air tactics, and reflect great credit
upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United
States.>>>>>>>>>>>>........EIGHT YEAR VETERAN......A West Point
graduate, Col. Upthegrove has been in bombardment since 1936 and is a
veteran of over 4,000 air hours. Besides being rated a Command Pilot, he is
also a Senior Aircraft Observer and Aerial Navigator. Holder of the Silver
Star, the Distinquished Flying Cross, and the Air Medal with nine Clusters,
the Colonel has completed over fifty high altitude missions, leading his big
Bombers on some of the most devastating missions carried out over the
Mediterranean area.>>>>>>>The Colonel's parents, Mr. and Mrs. F. E.
Upthgrove, reside at Rew, Pa. Col. Upthegrove entered West Point after
graduating from Bradford, Pa. High School. His wife, Mrs. Marcella D.
Upthegrove, lives at 127 South Twelfth Street, Olean, N. Y., with their two
daughters, Sophie Lou and Mary Jane.

posted by Miller, Beverly B. kaylaree@msn.com