Virgil Cephus Fields, Jr.

Major Virgil Cephus Fields, Jr., was born on 3 December 1921 in Kern Country, California. The family returned to Craig, OK, and later settled in Jay. Fields graduated from Jay High School in 1939. He was a Citizen of the Cherokee Nation.

Fields enlisted in the US Army Air Forces immediately after Pearl Harbor and began training at Rankin Field, California. He subsequently earned his flight wings and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant at Luke Field, Arizona.

Fields arrived in North Africa in April 1943 and was assigned to the 307th Fighter Squadron, 31st Fighter Group. For the next 10 months, he flew 176 combat missions in his Supermarine Spitfire over North Africa, Sicily, Salerno, and Anzio. During the invasion of the Italian mainland at Salerno, he was wounded in aerial combat and forced to land his plane on the Salerno beachhead.

Fields became the Commander of the 307th on 2 October 1943 and was promoted to Captain and Major. Between 13 November and 22 January, he became an Ace by his six aerial victories over German pilots. He qualified to return to the United States, but chose to remain with his unit.

On 1 February 1944, the 307th moved their airfield to Nettuno, which was near the Anzio battlefield. Less than a week later Major Fields was shot down and killed in action.

For his dedication, Major Virgil Fields, Jr, was posthumously awarded the nation’s second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross. The citation reads in part, "…for extraordinary heroism… in aerial combat… Major Fields’ unquestionable valor… is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself…" In addition, Fields received two awards of the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Purple Heart, 16 Air Medals, and the French Croix de Guerre.

Major Fields rests in Bethel Cemetery, Gravette, Arkansas.