MAAS, John B., Jr.
	PERSONALIA   Name:  Maas, John B., Jr. Date of birth:  May 19th, 1920 Nationality:  American       NAVY AVIATOR WING Rank: 2nd Lieutenant Unit: USMCR (AVC) Awarded on: January 28th, 1942 Details: No. 11015.         DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS (DFC) Rank: 2nd Lieutenant Unit: Pilot Marine Aircraft Group 14 Action: Citation: "For heroism and extraordinary achievement as a pilot attached to Marin Aircraft Group Fourteen during action against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Island area on November 12 and 14, 1942 and January 31st, 1943. When a force of our aircraft on an important offensive mission was intercepted by six fighters, Second Lieutenant Maas, section leader in a fligth of six planes, courageously engaged the attackers and sent one hostile craft hurtling into the water, thereby contributing to the disruption of the enemy attack. In another flight he shot down one aircraft while his men destroyed eighteen others of a large formation of Japanese bombers about to attack friendly ships of Lunga Point, Guadalcanal Island. During a flight against installations on Vella Lavella Island our dive bombers were attacked by ten Zero-type aircraft over Kolombangara Island. By his expert marksmanship, he accounted for one of the eight planes destroyed by our fighters, thereby enabling the bombers to effectively complete their mission. His aggressive fighting spirit was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."         Provide alterations or additional information Information source(s):   - Certificate Naval Aviator