Armand Sedgeley awaits his Silver Star

The Denver Post tells the World War II story of Armand Sedgeley and the more contemporary story of John Fine, a diver and photographer who discovered the wreckage of Sedegely’s B-17 bomber in the water off the coast of Corsica. The B17 had been damaged by German fighters and limped towards the British airbase on Corsica, but the pilot had to ditch because the airstrip wouldn’t accommodate the massive bomber. The crew members that survived the attack were rescued by the British soon after the bomber sank where it was discovered by Fine decades later.

Fine began searching for survivors and was finally able to meet Sedgeley;

When Fine learned that some others had received the Silver Star for their heroism in combat that day, he broached the subject. Sedgeley said his squadron leader had put him in for the honor, but it didn’t get approved — although two gunners among the crew were recognized. He heard no explanation.

“All I know is we all did our best and it was recognized by the squadron, but from there on, I have no information, and they can’t seem to locate the Silver Star orders,” Sedgeley said. “So it is a mystery. I don’t understand it.”

Unbeknown to Sedgeley until recently, Fine has pursued the honor on his behalf. He said that through archives and Sedgeley’s own flight diary, he discovered information that wouldn’t have been part of the original narrative — information that might trigger a reconsideration. “Busy commanders could not have had all the information available now or they surely would have awarded this 22-year-old hero his Silver Star,” he wrote in his appeal to government officials.

Fine said he sought help from Colorado Sen. Cory Gardner’s office to expedite the process, although Gardner’s spokesman said that policy prohibits commenting on such casework.

So now, they wait.

“I think it’s most unusual for a person to go to the expense he’s gone to, to get a medal without even being involved,” Sedgeley said. “I didn’t know he was doing it for a long time.”

Of course, I left out a lot of the story so I don’t steal from the Denver Post, but you should read the entire article.

Category: We Remember