ONEOFMANYFEATHERS'

Short Biographies

Sergeant Ralph Sam

 

 

On 29 July 1942 seven A-24s flew out of Port Moresby, New Guinea airfield to bomb a Japanese convoy attempting to land supplies to Japanese troops pushing south towards Port Moresby. The A-24 was a two seat dive-bomber and occupying the rear gunner position of one of the A-24s was Sgt. Ralph Sam, a Paiute Indian from Nevada. The A-24s were accompanied by P-39 fighters for protection from Japanese Zeros.

During the attack the A-24s were separated from the P-39s in the melee with enemy Zeros. Sgt. Sam, a rear gunner in one of the A-24s, had his right arm shot off during the air battle. Nevertheless, he pulled out his pistol and with his left hand shot at a pursuing Zero until his ammunition gave out.

Of the seven A-24s that began the mission, only one returned to Port Moresby; five were shot down and one badly damaged A-24 was reported to have landed at Milne Bay airfield, on the southern tip of New Guinea.

When Sgt. Sam's aircraft landed, piloted by Lt. John Hill, he was rushed to the hospital where he died three days later.

For his heroic action Sgt. Sam was awarded posthumously his second Silver Star.

 

 

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