Hello -- I am looking for information on my father, Fred A. Hendricks, a pilot in the 486th, BS832.  He was from Chicago.  He was sometimes called the "Chicago Kid".   I am especially interested in finding out about any medals he received.  I have contacted NARA but they are having trouble finding his records.  I have a shadow box with several medals, a Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal with three oak clusters, however I have no documentation of why or when these were awarded.  I also know he was wounded in a crash, but there is no purple heart in my shadow box, so I am curious as to whether he received one or not.  My Dad died in April of 2003. 
 
I would appreciate hearing from anyone who might have known him or has information about him and/or anyone who can guide me on how to find out about his record and medals. 
 
I found some information on the 486th website, which was great.  But I am wondering if anyone has anything additional.
 
Thanks so much!

Shen:
Air medal - First 5 Missions
Oak Leaf Cluster for every 5 Following. 20+ Missions
I have 486th history Book -
Do you know when he was Wounded?
Time period he flew missions?
Any other info ?
If he dealt with VA - records under his Social Security #.
Mike

Thank you for the response.  He was wounded on May 20, 1944 in a crash on takeoff. 

He served in England from May 8, 1944 to October 15, 1944 (his 31st mission).  He joined the USArmyAir Corps from the RCAF on May 18, 1942.  He was recalled to service for the Korean War and I know he was flying at Hamilton AFB in Novato California in 1953. 
 
Thanks for your help.  The information on the medals is interesting.

Shen:
He was Pilot of B - 24 # 42 - 52691 3R X " California's Golden Bare " 832d Sq.
 Hit Trees - Crashed on Take - Off
Co Pilot Lt. Bob Wolff & 3 other Crewmen KIA
4 Crew Badly injured
2 escaped injury
From Book: War Stories of the O & W : 486th Bomb Group by Wood and Bee
Mike

Should he have received a Purple Heart for his injuries from that crash?

Shen - This is a real Gray Area.
His wounds were caused by an Accident - WIFA ( Wounded in Flying Accident ).
Wounds not caused by Hostile Action.
However - If he flew 31 Missions , he should have Air Medal & 5 OLCs.
Mike  

That is interesting about the Purple Heart.  Since he was taking off on a mission, I would have thought it would be creditable.
 
I do have the Air Medal and 3 of the oak leaf clusters.  I also have a distinguished flying cross.  I am trying to find verification and documentation about the medals.
 
Thank you for all of your help.

I think the Purple Heart is supposed to be awarded when operating in a COMBAT ZONE.
 
 
Terry T.

Shen ~
 
8th USAAF Mission #359 was conducted on 20MAY44.  If your Father was a pilot on this mission, he was actively participating in the Air Offensive against Germany.
 
The Purple Heart may be awarded for a wound requiring medical attention by a Medical Officer.
This may occur in an action against an enemy of the United States.
 
Records indicate previously mentioned 2nd Lt. Robert L. Wolff, asn O-811484, was Killed In Action (KIA) and awarded the Purple Heart.  If you could locate the names of the other 3 airmen who were killed, I would think their records would reflect similar results.
 
This alone would seem to indicate that all crew members aboard were in an active combat situation, for when a death occurs in a "non-combat" situation the cause of death is generally considered Died Non Battle (DNB). 
 
If this situation occurred to my Father, I would certainly pursue the matter.
Good luck & best wishes.

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