| FREDRIC G. ALTMAN, First Lieutenant, Air Corps, 97th, Bomb
Group. For extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial
flight in the European and North African Theatres of Operations.
Lieutenant Altman’s outstanding courage and proficiency as bombardier
on a B-17 type aircraft have contributed greatly to the success of the
many combat missions in which he has taken part. On 9 May 1943, he
acted as lead bombardier for a formation of more than one hundred
B-17 type aircraft in the devastating bombing of Palermo, Sicily. Al
though his ship was seriously damaged by both flak and fighters and
two of the crew were wounded before reaching its objective, Lieutenant
Altman calmly concentrated on his bomb sight. Though the ship quivered
from bursts of heavy anti-aircraft shells and his navigator fired his
guns continuously in - repelling successive attacks as the enemy desperately
attempted to turn the lead ship, he drooped his bombs squarely
on the target. While the navigator cared for the wounded, Lieutenant
Altman efficiently manned the three flexible nose guns, damaging several
fighters and probably destroying two, alertly shifting from one gun to
the other as he alternately repulsed attacks from three directions until
the navigator returned to assist him in protecting his aircraft on
the remainder of the flight to friendly territory. Lieutenant Altman’s
outstanding skill and gallantry have consistently reflected great credit
upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.
|
Fredric G. Altman 
