Foil: 6 Panel: Distinguished Flying Cross Society Column: 1 Line: 31

Wall of Honor Level:
Air and Space Friend

Honored by:
Ms. Helen L. Little

In an attempt to gain proper recognition for valorous performance by SSgt Ernest D Little, the late Val S. Griffiths initiated action in 1995 to do just that as follows:

Please!!! Go back in time with me to July 7, 1943. I was the first pilot on a B-24 Liberator Bomber enroute to Chungking, China, from Lincoln, Nebraska to fly with the 14th Air Force. Our journey came to an abrupt halt on this date while flying the leg between Accra, Gold coast (now Ghana) and Kano, Nigeria, Africa. It was a beautiful, clear day. The plane was on automatic pilot and the entire crew was relaxed with not a care in the world. Suddenly, engines #1, #2, and #4 sputtered and stopped. The Co-pilot and I managed to get all three running again. We noticed #2 was running hot and the oil pressure was dropping rapidly. When the engine started to vibrate, the propeller was feathered. We noticed the oil pressure on #1 and #4 was falling.

The crew was alerted to stand by and prepare to throw everything possible overboard. The Navigator was ordered to give the Radio Operator, SSgt Ernest D. Little, our position report so that he could send an SOS to the Kano, Nigeria, base or any other station receiving us. Radio contact was made with Kano and Lagos. With oil pressure continuing to drop on engines # 1 and # 4 orders were given to throw everything, including guns, ammunition, and personal items overboard. We were holding altitude and direction when #1 engine failed and was feathered. We were now flying on two engines, # 3 and # 4, with the oil pressure continuing to drop on # 4. It wasn't long before # 4 developed a runaway propeller and with a surge of power from # 4 the plane started into a counterclockwise turn. The order was given to "bail out." While this was going on SSgt Ernest D Little had received our position report from the Navigator and was sending it to Kano and Lagos. At the "bail out" order he had not completed our position report. The Co-pilot left by the top hatch. I looked on the flight deck to see if everyone was out and there sat SSgt Little sending our position report. I yelled for him to get out.

He shook his head up and down to acknowledge that he had heard me but he continued to send his report. He was determined to get our position to Kanos and Lagos so the crew could be rescued in the shortest possible time. He did not care about the dangers all around him. He just wanted to help the crew. SSgt Little showed great courage.

The plane went into a flat spin. Upon landing the four engines made four depressions in the ground. These depressions filled with oil and gasoline and the top cylinder on # 4 was burning. An explosion and fire were inevitable. SSgt Little and the Navigator went to the downed plane and salvaged two rubber life boats that had rations and water. Here was another act by SSgt Little where he showed complete disregard for his own safety in order to help his fellow crew members.

After about three hours, a plane from Kano flew over and dropped supplies. They had responded to SSgt Little's message. Kano sent the message to a crew of Americans salvaging another downed plane about seven miles from our position. They found us and guided us to safety, thanks to SSgt Little. We were returned to the United States and eight of us were reassigned to the 8th Air Force in England, where we completed thirty missions.
Sir, now for the purpose of this letter. I believe SSgt Ernest D Little should receive recognition for his unselfish actions, above and beyond the call of duty to help his fellow crew members. I might add that the life raft which SSgt Little salvaged from the downed B-24 Liberator was used to transport all crew members across the Niger River. This included the Bombardier who broke a leg when three panels of his parachute ripped open, causing a rapid descent. We tied sections of the parachute cords together, had a native to swim across the river and tie to a tree on the other side. We then all crossed by a "two over and one back" procedure. Without the life raft, I do not know what we would have done.

SSgt Little was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, first Oak Leaf Cluster in 1999. (Both Val Griffiths and Ernest Little served in the 705th Bomb Squadron, 446th Bomb Group.)