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 Lieutenant William W. Ross for heroism and extraordinary achievement in aerial flight as Pilot of a Fighter Plane attached to Fighter Squadron EIGHT SEVEN FOUR, Carrier Air Group ONE HUNDRED TWO, based on board the U.S.S. BON HOMME RICHARD, during operations against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 28 July 1951. Although continuously subjected to heavy hostile antiaircraft fire while he was participating in an armed reconnaissance mission along the route from Kowan to Hamhung, Lieutenant (then Lieutenant, Junior Grade,) Ross, accompanied by another plane, carried out a series of daring attacks on a camouflaged area, completely destroying a supply concentration and seriously damaging two hostile tanks. Encountering extremely heavy antiaircraft fire over the vital enemy railroad bridge at Sondokchang-ni, he pressed home repeated attacks on the target severely damaging the bridge with a direct 1000-lb. bomb hit. After his bombs were expended, he continued to strafe gun positions, thereby protecting the other plane and silencing the antiaircraft fire. By his marked courage, skilled airmanship and unswerving devotion to duty, Lieutenant Ross was greatly instrumental in dealing a damaging blow to the enemy and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.