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

Citation:  1.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant William H. McAbee for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in the North African Theater of Operations as Pilot of Spitfire type aircraft. While on a fighter sweep over the Font Du Fahs-Tebourba area, 26 April 1943, his formation intercepted six ME 109's as the hostile fighter-bombers were about to attack our ground troops. Flying in the lead position of his flight, Lieutenant McAbee immediately attacked the hostile aircraft, forcing them to jettison their bombs. Displaying exceptional flying skill, Lieutenant McAbee shot down one ME 109 and damaged a second. His aggressiveness and proficiency as a fighter pilot have been of high inspiration to his comrades and reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.