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

Citation:  1.) The 766th Squadron, 461st Bomb Group, 15th Air Force. He received a Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement despite intense anti-aircraft fire while participating in an aerial bombing mission over Linz, Austria. On January 20, 1944 during a mission to Linz for purposes of destroying rolling stock in the North Main Marshaling Yard, Lieutenant Pettey demonstrated extraordinary flying skills by avoiding a collision with another out of control burning Liberator bomber, thereby saving the lives of his crew members. Although his B-24 was severely damaged by flak and barely able to maintain flight altitude, he and his courageous crew members were able to safely return the aircraft to their home base at Torretta Air Field in Southern Italy. Lieutenant Pettey was also awarded four Air Medals for participating in 35 bombing missions, promoted to the rank of Captain, and was recently presented a French Citation for participating in the Invasion of Southern France. Jesse E. Pettey is a member of the Distinguished Flying Cross Society.