John P. Cordova

These awards are based on the information below and per applicable DoD Directives and Awards Manuals:
Air Medal Awarded to any member of the Army who distinguishes, or has distinguished, himself or herself by heroic or meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight. The 3rd Oak Leaf Cluster would indicate the 4th award of the Air Medal.
U.S. Army Good Conduct Medal Awarded for exemplary behavior, efficiency, and fidelity in active Federal military service. It is awarded on a selective basis to each Soldier who distinguishes himself or herself from among his or her fellow Soldiers by their exemplary conduct, efficiency, and fidelity throughout a specified period of continuous enlisted active Federal military service.
American Defense Service Medal Awarded for service between September 8, 1939 and December 7, 1941 under orders to active duty for a period of 12 months or longer.
American Campaign Service Medal Awarded for military service within the American Theater between December 7, 1941 and March 2, 1946. (5)Within the continental limits of the United States for an aggregate period of 1 year.
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal Awarded for military service with the Asiatic-Pacific Theater between December 7, 1941 and March 2, 1946.
World War II Victory Medal Awarded for military service between December 7, 1941 and December 31, 1946, both dates inclusive.
 Note that this list may not include all awarded medals, devices, unit citations or qualification badges.
 **It is highly likely but unconfirmed that SSG Cordova was awarded the Army Good Conduct Medal. )

Documents, Forms and Resources Found or Not Found:
No  ABMC Form 1, Headstone Inscription And Interment Record
No  Eyewitness Statement or Report
Yes Memorial Marker Photo, Find A Grave
Yes National Archives Database, Enlistment Records
No  Missing Air Crew Report
No  Photo of veteran, Find A Grave
No  Washington Newspaper Obit, Notice, or Report
No  WWII Draft Card Data
No  WWII Hospital Admission Records

American Battle Monuments Commission Data
John P. Cordova
Service # 6551764
Unit 5th Air Commando Squadron, 1st Air Commando Group
Rank Staff Sergeant U.S. Army Air Forces
Entered Service From: Washington
Date of Death: May 17, 1945
Status: Missing In Action
Memorialized: Walls of the Missing
 Manila American Cemetery, Philippines
Awards: None Listed

WWII Draft Card Data
  None Found

WWII Hospital Admission Records
  None Found

Note 1: The death location, "In The Philippine Sea" is based on the best information available at this time. In the case of SSG Cordova, this location was estimated on:

A. The American Battle Monuments Commission website identifies his assigned unit as the 5th Air Commando Squadron.

B. His Find-A-Grave listing states that he was a passenger on a Curtiss C-46D Commando, Registration #44-77369 that was assigned to the 68th Squadron, 433rd Troop Carrier Group.

C. The C-46D departed from Leyte, Philippines on a cargo mission to Morotai Island, Indonesia and went down in the sea for an unknown reason.

D. No Missing Air Crew Report on this Curtiss C-46D has been found at this time.

E. Limited information is available on the 5th Air Commando Squadron. The only listing found to date is on the Air Commando Association website page USAAF/USAF Air Commando and Special Operations units from WWII to 2002.

Anyone with additional information or a more specific location is welcomed and encouraged to submit an email to: ww2updates@withmilitaryhonors.com.

The following information on this casualty is sourced from The National Archives Database:
 Electronic Army Serial Number Merged File, ca. 1938 - 1946 (Enlistment Records)

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