AWARDED DFC: 1
CONFLICT/SPACE FLIGHT/EVENT:  WWII
MODEL:  P-51D

Citation:  1.) The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Frank L. Kebelman, Jr., First Lieutenant, Air Corps, United States Army for extraordinary achievement while serving as Pilot of a P-51 airplane on bomber escort, dive bombing and strafing missions over Germany and German occupied countries, 18 July 1944, 29 July 1944 and 21 November 1944. On 18 July 1944 the flight in which Lieutenant Kebelman was flying encountered approximately seventy five hostile aircraft approaching the bombers. He immediately proceeded to engage the enemy fighters and employing superior tactical ability destroyed one of them. His actions on this occasion disrupted the attack on the bombers. On 29 July 1944 Lieutenant Kebelman observed approximately twenty five Me-109's and FW 190's attacking friendly formations. The flight of fighters in which he was flying, although considerably outnumbered, turned into the enemy aircraft causing them to be dispersed. On 21 November 1944 more than twenty five enemy fighters were observed in the target area. Lieutenant Kebelman selected one enemy aircraft and proceeded to destroy it. He fired several bursts and closed on the Me-109, observing many strikes around the cockpit. Pieces of the Me-109 flew off and it started to smoke badly, falling toward the ground in a slow spiral. Lieutenant Kebelman than attacked another Me-109 and successfully destroyed it. The courage, coolness and skill displayed by this officer on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.