Lt. H. E. Goettler

[Nacho]

Does anybody know where I can find some additional on Harold Goettler's service in ww1, I just finished the book ''Hostile Skies'' and was surprised to find out another aviator was awarded the Medal Of Honor.

[josquin]

Nacho,
The best recent source for Lts. Harold Ernest Goettler &
Erwin Russell Bleckley, of the 50th Aero Squadron, is
Robert J. Laplander, FINDING THE LOST BATTALION
(2006, published by Lulu.com). Laplander gives a full
description of both men and the action, on 6 October
1918, for which both were awarded the Congressional
Medal of Honor. Also, a good short description of what
happened on 6 October is available on the Wikipedia, for
"Erwin R. Bleckley." Briefly, both men flew an extremely
dangerous mission to resupply the 77th Division's
"Lost Battalion" which had been surrounded near
Charlevaux, in the Argonne. Flying at a very low
altitude, Goettler was killed by ground fire and Bleckley
was fatally injured in the crash. Before taking off,
Bleckley said that they were going to succeed in
their mission or die trying--both men knew how steep
the odds were against them.
regards, josquin

[josquin]

Nacho,

7 American aviators (5 pilots and 2 observers) were awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor during World War I:
Lt. Erwin Russell Bleckley, U.S.A.S. (observer)
Lt. Harold Ernest Goettler, U.S.A.S.
Ens. Charles Hazeltine Hammann, U.S.N.
Lt. Frank Luke, Jr.
Lt. Edward Vernon Rickenbacker, U.S.A.S.
Gunnery Sgt. Robert Guy Robinson, U.S.M.C. (observer)
Lt. Ralph Talbot, U.S.M.C.

In addition, Lt. DeWitt Coleman, Jr., U.S.N., was awarded the
Italian Medaglia d'Oro (Gold Medal)--the Italian equivalent
of the Medal of Honor. You can find short biographical
sketches in the Wikipedia, listed under the individual names,
for the 7 men who were awarded the Medal of Honor. These
biographies include the full texts of the award citations.


regards, josquin