Veto R

On the morning of Dec. 7, 1941, George Welch, along with Ken Taylor, came out of an all-night Christmas dance party at at Waikiki hotel. As the two pilots were planning the rest of their day, Japanese planes started their attack on Pearl Harbor. In the attack, nearby American planes parked wing-to-wing on the Wheeler Field tarmac to prevent sabotage were destroyed by Japanese fighters.

Welch and Taylor had been ordered earlier to disperse their planes to Haleiwa Landing Field about 10 miles from Wheeler Field. As Welch made a call to Haleiwa to get the planes ready, Taylor got his car. Under enemy fire, Taylor drove both to Haleiwa Field. Haleiwa Field did not have any .50 caliber ammo for the the P-40's cowl guns, so armed only with .30-caliber ammo for their wing, both Welch and Taylor took off to face the Japanese attack. There were 183 Japanese aircraft in the first wave and 171 aircraft in the second wave.

Despite lacking ammo for their cowl guns, Welch and Taylor immediately attacked the incoming Japanese bombers. Welch is credited with four confirmed kills that Sunday and Taylor, who was wounded during the attack, with one kill. Reports are, though, that the two may have shot down as many as eight Japanese planes that morning.

Following the battle, they were each recommended for the Medal of Honor. However, they were given the Distinguished Service Cross, which is the second-highest award for bravery. The official reason they were given the DSC is that they took off that morning without orders. I note that their air base was under massive surprise attack and Welch and Taylor did not wait for orders before taking off to defend Pearl Harbor.

Should the Army, there was no Air Force in 1941, and our military rectify its mistake and honor those few men who managed to get in the air that Sunday morning against overwhelming odds and restore the Medals of Honor that should have been awarded to Welch and Taylor.

Will award a best answer on Dec. 7.

After Pearl Harbor, Welch was nominated for a Medal of Honor. However, he was only awarded the Distinguished Service Cross. Should the military rectify its mistake and award him and Ken Taylor the Medals of Honor they earned that day? Why or why not.

This question is being asked to draw attention to what these two men did. Best answer will be awarded Dec. 7.

After Pearl Harbor, Welch was nominated for a Medal of Honor. However, he was only awarded the Distinguished Service Cross. Should the military rectify its mistake and award him and Ken Taylor the Medals of Honor they earned that day? Why or why not.

This question is being asked to draw attention to what these two men did. Best answer will be awarded Dec. 7.