Major John Louis Jerstad, an airman in the U.S. Army Air Corps, was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for gallantry on August 1, 1943 in Ploesti, Rumania during World War II. At the time he was serving with 201st Provisional Combat Wing, 9th Air Force. Jerstad was 25 years old.
Jerstad was killed in the action for which his medal was awarded. 4 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on November 21, 1943 — presented in Racine, Wisconsin, to his parents.
Jerstad was born on February 12, 1918 in Racine, Racine County, Wisconsin. He is buried at A.B.M.C. Ardennes Cemetery in Neuvile-En-Condroz, Belgium. His medal is held by Racine Veterans Legacy Museum (duplicate Medal), Racine, WI.
Jerstad is one of 474 Medal of Honor recipients from World War II and one of 50 credited to Wisconsin.
Official Medal of Honor citation
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty. On 1 August 1943, he served as pilot of the lead aircraft in his group in a daring low-level attack against enemy oil refineries and installations at Ploesti, Rumania. Although he had completed more than his share of missions and was no longer connected with this group, so high was his conception of duty that he volunteered to lead the formation in the correct belief that his participation would contribute materially to the success of this attack. Maj. Jerstad led the formation into attack with full realization of the extreme hazards involved and despite withering fire from heavy and light anitaircraft guns. Three miles from the target his airplane was hit, badly damaged, and set on fire. Ignoring the fact that he was flying over a field suitable for a forced landing, he kept on the course. After the bombs of his aircraft were released on the target, the fire in his ship became so intense as to make further progress impossible and he crashed into the target area. By his voluntary acceptance of a mission he knew was extremely hazardous and his assumption of an intrepid course of action at the risk of life over and above the call of duty, Maj. Jerstad set an example of heroism which will be an inspiration to the U.S. Armed Forces.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Wounds and death in action
- Killed in action during the act for which the medal was awarded (August 1, 1943).
- Manner of death: death in battle
- Age at death: 25
- Resting place: A.B.M.C. Ardennes Cemetery
Cause and manner of death: Wikidata.
Other decorations and honors
Besides the Medal of Honor, John Louis Jerstad received:
Source: Wikidata. Gold chips link to our guide to that decoration.
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: World War II.
Life beyond the battlefield
- Education: Northwestern University, Washington Park High School
Source: Wikidata.
Places
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Wisconsin →
Timeline
- February 12, 1918Born in Racine, Racine County, Wisconsin
- August 1, 1943Act of valor — Ploesti, RumaniaAge 25. 201st Provisional Combat Wing, 9th Air Force Killed in action.
- November 21, 1943Medal of Honor presented posthumouslyPresented in Racine, Wisconsin, to his parents.
- Resting placeA.B.M.C. Ardennes CemeteryNeuvile-En-Condroz
Biography
John Louis Jerstad (February 12, 1918 – August 1, 1943) was a United States Army Air Forces officer who was posthumously awarded the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor. He received the medal for his actions as a B-24 pilot during a raid on Ploieşti, Romania, in World War II.
From the Wikipedia article “John L. Jerstad”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
