AWARDED DFC: 2
CONFLICT/SPACE FLIGHT/EVENT:  -
MODEL:  -

Citation:  1.) The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to William J. DeBlasio, Technical Sergeant, Army Air Forces, United States Army, for extraordinary achievement, while serving as Tail Gunner of a B-17 airplane on a bombing mission over Germany, 10 October 1943. His aircraft sustained severe damage enroute to the target and after the bombing run was again attacked and forced out of formation by enemy fighters. Though at a high altitude without a sufficient supply of oxygen, Sergeant DeBlasio courageously remained at his guns, skillfully fighting off persistent attacks by enemy planes, desperately trying to destroy the crippled bomber. When the attacks ceased, he assisted in throwing overboard all unnecessary equipment, in order to lighten the plane which was fast losing altitude. The courage, skill and devotion to duty displayed by Sergeant DeBlasio materially aided in the safe return of his aircraft and reflect highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

2.) The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross (First Oak Leaf Cluster) to William J. DeBlasio, Technical Sergeant, Army Air Forces, United States Army for extraordinary achievement while serving as Tail Gunner on twenty heavy bombardment missions over enemy occupied Continental Europe. Fighting from his gun position, Sergeant DeBlasio has destroyed one enemy airplane and has materially aided in the success of each of the twenty missions. The courage, coolness and skill displayed by Sergeant DeBlasio on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.