AWARDED DFC: 1
CONFLICT/SPACE FLIGHT/EVENT:  -
MODEL:  B-17

Citation:  1.) The Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in the North African Theatre of operations as a waist-gunner of a B-17 type aircraft. On 18 June 1943, while on a raid over Messina, Sicily, Sgt. Light's aircraft, after the loss of numbers one and two engines, was forced to leave the rest of the formation and dive for the protection of the sea. Immediately thereafter, his aircraft was intercepted by twenty-five ME 109's and FW 190's. Sgt. Light through great skill and coolness, succeeded in destroying one ME 109, probably destroying another, and damaging several others. Later, while making a forced landing on the Island of Pantelleria, Sgt. Light again aided greatly in driving off the attacks of four FW 190's. Sgt. Light's courage and skill have reflected the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.