AWARDED DFC: 1
CONFLICT/SPACE FLIGHT/EVENT:  WW II
MODEL:  B-29

Citation:  1.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Staff Sergeant Robert W. McKee for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on a bombing mission against a high priority target, the Musashino aircraft plant at Tokyo, Japan on 7 April 1945. These individuals were combat crew members of a B-29 airplane in the lead squadron in a low-altitude daylight bombing mission and dropped a devastating load of bombs on this vital enemy installation. Approach to the target was made in clear weather with the entire formation fully visible to enemy ground and air opposition. So accurate was the anti-aircraft and fighter opposition that the bomber sustained severe damage to vital equipment and instruments. One enemy fighter was destroyed and two damaged through the expert ability of the gunners. Despite the handicaps of damaged equipment and continuous enemy opposition, this crew led the formation on an accurate bomb run and dropped the projectiles on the assigned target with excellent results. Post-mission photographs show that seventy-five percent of the formation's bombs hit within 1000 feet of the briefed aiming point, causing severe damage to the target. The professional skill, courage, and determination displayed by these veterans of repeated assaults against the enemy were outstanding and reflect great credit upon themselves and the United States Air Force.