CHELI, RALPH - Medal of Honor Recipient

Rank and organization:   Major, U.S. Army Air Corps.

Place and date:   Near Wewak, New Guinea, 18 August 1943.

Entered service at:   Brooklyn, N.Y.

Birth:   San Francisco, Calif.

G.O. No.: 72, 28 October 1943.

Citation:   For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action with the enemy. While Maj. Cheli was leading his squadron in a dive to attack the heavily defended Dagua Airdrome, intercepting enemy aircraft centered their fire on his plane, causing it to burst into flames while still 2 miles from the objective. His speed would have enabled him to gain necessary altitude to parachute to safety, but this action would have resulted in his formation becoming disorganized and exposed to the enemy. Although a crash was inevitable, he courageously elected to continue leading the attack in his blazing plane. From a minimum altitude, the squadron made a devastating bombing and strafing attack on the target. The mission completed, Maj. Cheli instructed his wingman to lead the formation and crashed into the sea.