AWARDED DFC: 1
CONFLICT/SPACE FLIGHT/EVENT:  WWII
MODEL:  B-24

Citation:  1.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Technical Sergeant George M. Miller for heroism while participating in aerial flight as flight engineer and gunner on February 25th, 1945. On that date, Technical Sergeant Miller flew bombing raids from ordnance depot in Linz, Austria. The B-24 had just dropped its load of bombs on the target, when the B-24 was hit by anti-aircraft fire. One fragment of the anti-craft shell had hit the center fuel pump in the center wing tank, which damaged the pump and caused fuel to spray out from the pump. TSgt Miller immediately shut off all the fuel tanks except the center wing fuel tank, so the pilot could use up the center tank first. The pilot, Lt Heyman, left the bomb bay doors opens so the fumes from the fuel would not overcome the inside of the plane. Then TSgt Miller proceeded to pump out the fuel from the center tank into the engine fuel tanks as quickly as possible. TSgt Miller then proceeded to the catwalk under the center tank in the bomb bay, and found the damaged pump and used his hand to stop the fuel spraying inside the plane as long as he could. The temperature inside the bomb bay was minus 60 degrees. The fuel ran down TSgt Miller's arms and soaked his clothing and filled his boots. TSgt Miller remained at the leak as long as he could, until he could not withstand the freezing fuel on his skin and clothing. He returned to the cockpit where his fellow flight members were waiting to use their heated suits and body temperature to warm TSgt Miller back to normal body temperature. Co-Pilot Lt James Doherty had inserted TSgt Miller's feet into his flight jacket next to his skin to warm his feet, which definitely prevented TSgt Miller from obtaining frost bite on his feet and ankles. When the center tank was empty, TSgt miller isolated the damaged pump and tank and closing valves and then Lt. Heyman closed the bomb bay doors. TSgt Miller's quick thinking and bravery enable the entire crew and plane to return safely to the airbase. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by TSgt Miller reflect great credit upon himself and the US Army Air Force.