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

Citation:  1.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Technical Sergeant Francis J. Mastronardi for heroism while participating in aerial flight as a Radio Operator and Gunner near Reims, France, on 20 March 1944. On that date, Sergeant Mastronardi displayed tremendous courage by total disregard for his own safety to save fellow crew members. While returning from a bombing mission to Frankfort, Germany, Sergeant Mastronardi's B-17 was attacked by a group of German fighters. During the course of action, the B-17 could not maintain flight and all crew members were ordered to bail out. Sergeant Mastronardi assisted a severely wounded waist gunner bail out and then returned from the safety of the waist door to assist another wounded crew member who was unable to raise the ball turret door to exit into the waist section of the plane where his parachute was located. Sergeant Mastronardi instructed the crew member to lower the partially opened turret door and then proceeded to remove empty 50 caliber shell casings which were jamming the elevation ring gear of the turret. After clearing the elevation ring gear and raising the turret door, Sergeant Mastronardi helped the crew member from the turret, put on his parachute, and bail out the waist door. Sergeant Mastronardi was the last member to bail out. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Sergeant Mastronardi reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.