About time...... - 06/22/17
Another of America's "Greatest Generation" receives long over due accolade!
Joe Carroll of Dillon MT was recently appointed Chevalier of the National Order of the Legion of Honor by the President
of the Republic of France for his contribution to the Allies' liberation of France during WWII.
Mr Carroll entered the Army Air Corps 12/'42 and became a Flight Engineer and top turret gunner assigned to the 379th.
Bomb Group. He and his crew flew 1 bombing mission over France and 35 over Germany. On their 37th. mission in a new
B-17(the Silver Dollar) their wing man was knocked out of formation and while trying to rejoin flew up under the #2 engine of the
Silver Dollar and was cut in half by the prop. The wing man's props cut the nose off of the Silver Dollar! The crew w/ Mr. Carroll
in the co-pilots seat managed to land and all the crew survived. Only 2 of the other plane survived.
I have known Mr. Carroll since childhood and always enjoyed he and my Father(Army Air Corps, Pacific Theater)comparing
notes as to who had it the toughest!
A great honor for a Great Man!
Thank you for all you have done!
Joe Carroll of Dillon MT was recently appointed Chevalier of the National Order of the Legion of Honor by the President
of the Republic of France for his contribution to the Allies' liberation of France during WWII.
Mr Carroll entered the Army Air Corps 12/'42 and became a Flight Engineer and top turret gunner assigned to the 379th.
Bomb Group. He and his crew flew 1 bombing mission over France and 35 over Germany. On their 37th. mission in a new
B-17(the Silver Dollar) their wing man was knocked out of formation and while trying to rejoin flew up under the #2 engine of the
Silver Dollar and was cut in half by the prop. The wing man's props cut the nose off of the Silver Dollar! The crew w/ Mr. Carroll
in the co-pilots seat managed to land and all the crew survived. Only 2 of the other plane survived.
I have known Mr. Carroll since childhood and always enjoyed he and my Father(Army Air Corps, Pacific Theater)comparing
notes as to who had it the toughest!
A great honor for a Great Man!
Thank you for all you have done!