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 Technical Sergeant Lester H. Scearce, Jr., for extraordinary heroism in aerial flight against the enemy on dates indicated. During these missions, each as a crew member of a heavy bombardment type aircraft participated in a highly successful medium altitude mine-laying mission against the Bonin Islands. The material construction of the mines necessitated extremely low altitude flying and despite the danger of both heavy and medium anti-aircraft weapons around the enemy-held harbor, the mining was carried out so successfully that the supplying of the enemy for development of bases on these islands was definitely retarded. Notwithstanding the intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire and the possibility of interception by enemy aircraft of fighter type, the mission was successfully completed. The cool courage in the face of great danger, the high degree of professional skill and devotion to duty displayed by each exemplifies the highest traditions of the Army Air Forces.