AWARDED DFC: 8
CONFLICT/SPACE FLIGHT/EVENT:  WWII
MODEL:  Spitfire, P-47, P-51B

Citation:  1.) The award of Distinguished Flying Cross to Don S. Gentile, 1st Lieutenant, Army Air forces, United States Army. For extraordinary achievement. Lieutenant Gentile has accomplished fifty fighter combat missions over enemy occupied Continental Europe. The skillful and zealous manner in which Lieutenant Gentile has sought out the enemy and engaged him in aerial combat, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

2.) The award of Distinguished Flying Cross to Don S. Gentile, Captain, Army Air forces, United States Army. For extraordinary achievement. Captain Gentile has accomplished fifty fighter combat missions over enemy occupied Continental Europe. The skillful and zealous manner in which Captain Gentile has sought out the enemy and engaged him in aerial combat, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the Unite States.

3.) The award of Distinguished Flying Cross to Don S. Gentile, Captain, Army Air forces, United States Army. For extraordinary achievement. Captain Gentile has accomplished ten fighter combat missions, or the equivalent thereof, over enemy occupied Continental Europe and has destroyed four enemy airplanes in aerial combat. The skillful and zealous manner in which Captain Gentile has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the Unite States.

4.) The award of Distinguished Flying Cross to Don S. Gentile, Captain, Army Air forces, United States Army. For extraordinary achievement. Captain Gentile has accomplished forty fighter combat missions, or the equivalent thereof, over enemy occupied Continental Europe and has destroyed one enemy airplane in aerial combat. The skillful and zealous manner in which Captain Gentile has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

5.) The award of Distinguished Flying Cross to Don S. Gentile, Captain, Army Air forces, United States Army. For extraordinary heroism in action, 8 April 1944, while leading a squadron of P-51 fighters supporting bombers near Ruhrburg, Germany. Captain Gentile saw 50 to 60 German aircraft attacking in mass a box of Liberator bombers. Displaying great courage, Captain Gentile led his squadron to the attack, dispersing the enemy that outnumbered his more than three to one. In the ensuing melee he became separated from his squadron and was attacked by three enemy aircraft. By skillful and violent evasive technique, Captain Gentile maneuvered free of his attackers and positioned himself on the stern of a FW 190, which he pursued in a furious battle from 20,000 to 8,000 feet, where he destroyed it. Climbing for altitude, he encountered another enemy aircraft which he destroyed in vigorous combat. Again, before rejoining his squadron, he saw a third enemy aircraft, and although his expenditure of gasoline and ammunition had been excessive and his supply of both was critical, he disregarded the apparent perils and hazards and engaged the enemy in a battle lasting for fully ten minutes, finally destroying his at zero altitude. The skill, aggressiveness, persistence, and extraordinary heroism of Captain Gentile in the face of a numerically superior enemy reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the Unite States.

6.) The award of Distinguished Flying Cross to Don S. Gentile, Captain, Army Air forces, United States Army. For extraordinary achievement and heroism in the destruction of five (5) enemy airplanes in aerial combat over enemy occupied Continental Europe. The skillful and zealous manner in which Captain Gentile has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the Unite States.

7.) The award of Distinguished Flying Cross (One Oak Leaf) to Don S. Gentile, Captain, Army Air forces, United States Army. For extraordinary heroism in action against the enemy 8 March 1944. On this date Captain Gentile, while leading a section of Fighter aircraft on a bomber escort mission to targets in the vicinity of Berlin, Germany, saw a flight of bombers being attacked by approximately fifty enemy fighters. With only his wing man as his support and without regard to the overwhelming odds against him, Captain Gentile immediately attacked the enemy formation and by extremely courageous flying and skillful gunnery destroyed three enemy planes and broke up the threat against the bombers. Continuing with his wing man, they destroyed three more enemy fighters. By this time the wing man had expended his ammunition and Captain Gentile’s supply was very low. Despite this fact, they picked up a straggling bomber and escorted it to friendly territory. Captain Gentile’s outstanding courage and determination to destroy the enemy on this occasion set an example of heroism which will be an inspiration to the Armed Forces of the Unite States.

8.) Captain Don S. Gentile, United States Army Air Forces is awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for conspicuous achievement while participating in aerial operations against the enemy in the European Theatre of Operations from 9th October 1942, to 13th April, 1944. Captain Gentile demonstrated exemplary aggressiveness and outstanding leadership in action while destroying skillfully twenty-three enemy aircraft in the air and seven on the ground. The exceptional performance of duty evinced by Captain Gentile was in large measure responsible for the success of innumerable bomber escort and strafing missions. His actions contributed materially to the final defeat of Germany.