World War II pilot receives Distinguished Flying Cross

  • Published
  • By Airman Kristen Rohrer
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Art Cader (former Army Air Corps 1st Lt.) received the Distinguished Flying Cross for actions he took almost 63 years ago, during a ceremony at the Travis Air Museum Monday. 

Mr. Cader earned the medal for his heroism during a bombing mission he was part of Sept. 30, 1944, during World War II. 

The medal is given to any officer or enlisted person of the armed forces who exhibits heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight. 

While stationed at Kornasoren Airdome, Noemfoor Island in the Pacific, Lieutenant Cader, a B-24 Bomber pilot, and his aircrew set out on a mission to bomb the Japanese oil refineries at Balikpapan, Borneo. 

This particular mission was an especially dangerous one because it was longer than usual missions, they carried only 40 percent of the normal ammunition to conserve fuel and the aircraft was three tons over its normal weight limit because of bombs and fuel, explained Mr. Cader. 

Shortly before the aircraft reached their target area, they were attacked by Japanese enemy fighters, said Mr. Cader. 

As the enemies began to attack the B-24 bombers, some of the crew from other aircraft began to bail and parachute to the ground. Mr. Cader noticed this, and to protect his fellow crewmembers, took his plane out of formation and descended with a damaged aircraft to give covering fire for the bailing crew. 

Despite damage to his engine and having lost critical fuel, he brought his plane and crew safely back to base and later volunteered for a subsequent bombing mission on Borneo. 

"Mr. Cader distinguished himself with courage and flight skill," said Master Sgt. Nancy Crowell, 6th Air Refueling Squadron first sergeant. "Today, more than 60 years after these events, we have the tremendous opportunity to finally, and properly, honor his service." 

Mr. Cader grew up next to Hamilton Army Airfield in San Rafael, Calif. and applied for the aviation cadet program in 1942 when the war started. His training took him to many locations including Alabama, California, Colorado and Kansas City and after 307 hours of training he became a pilot. 

While flying, Mr. Cader never believed in superstition to get him through a mission. "Never rely on superstition, rely on your training and each other, but never superstition," he said. "The better you are as a crewmember, the better your chance of coming home." 

"During every one of his 44 missions, Mr. Cader never lost a plane or crewmember," said Col. Steve Arquiette, 60th Air Mobility Wing commander. "It is because of Mr. Cader's discipline, loyalty and patriotism that we honor him."