AWARDED DFC: 1
CONFLICT/SPACE FLIGHT/EVENT:  WWII
MODEL:  B-29

Citation:  1.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant Harold L. Crispi for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on 29 May 1945. These officers and enlisted men were combat crew members of a B-29 aircraft on an incendiary mission against military installations in Tokyo. In the target area anti-aircraft artillery fire was heavy and accurate with numerous search lights sweeping the sky. A dense smoke cloud from fires started by preceding bombers rose between their aircraft and the aiming point. Undeterred, they flew the aircraft through the smoke cloud where powerful air currents tossed it about ripping loose one of the open bomb-bay doors and damaging the retracting gears so that neither the normal nor the emergency systems could close the doors. Despite these obstacles they reached the aiming point and dropped their bombs on the target with devastating results. The damaged aircraft was flown to an emergency base where adverse weather conditions prevented their landing for approximately two hours. The courage and determination of these individuals in the face of intense enemy opposition contributed materially to the success of this important incendiary attack. The skill and devotion to duty reflect great credit on themselves and the Army Air Forces.