AWARDED DFC: 2
CONFLICT/SPACE FLIGHT/EVENT:  -
MODEL:  B-17

Citation:  1.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Second Lieutenant Paul W. Born for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Pilot of a B-17 type aircraft. On ___ April 1945 Lieutenant Born participated in a mission dispatched to attack vitally important enemy communications and supply lines ___ Austria. On the bomb run, where the formation was subjected to a fierce barrage of heavy, intense, and extremely accurate enemy anti-aircraft fire, Lieutenant Born's aircraft sustained severe damage from close bursting shells. One engine was rendered completely inoperative, spraying oil all over the engine and wing, and its propeller could not be feathered. A fuel tank was punctured spreading gasoline throughout the wing, creating imminent danger of fire and explosion, the rudder controls were severed, the left aileron cable cut, and rudder and elevator trim tab cables destroyed, the hydraulic system was damaged and the landing gear jarred loose. The aircraft fell, out of control, with the engine afire and the propeller frozen to the shaft and windmilling. With cool judgment and outstanding professional skill Lieutenant Born brought the aircraft under control with the automatic flight control equipment and put out the fire with the extinguisher. He then instructed the crew to retract the landing gear and to jettison everything possible, including the ball turret. He then skillfully piloted his crippled aircraft safely back to base despite the lack of power, loss of fuel, the erratic controls, and the windmilling, vibrating propeller. With cool judgment Lieutenant Born flew the aircraft right down to the runway before switching off the automatic flight control equipment and thus effected a superb landing without controls or brakes. By his extraordinary professional skill, cool judgment, calm decision, and superlative devotion to duty in the face of grave danger, Lieutenant Born has reflected great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States of America.

2.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Second Lieutenant Paul W. Born for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight against the enemy in the Mediterranean Theater of operations. Throughout many long and hazardous combat missions against vital strategic targets deep in enemy-occupied territory, though confronted by heavy enemy opposition from highly aggressive enemy fighters and intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire, the personnel listed below have consistently displayed outstanding courage, aggressiveness and intense devotion to duty throughout all engagements. With their aircraft frequently severely damaged by heavy enemy fire, these men have courageously remained at their stations, battling their way through to their targets to aid materially in the utter destruction of vitally important enemy installations and supplies. Heedless of severe and adverse weather conditions encountered over rugged mountainous terrain and surmounting many other major obstacles that faced them during these hazardous missions, these men have gallantly engaged, fought and defeated the enemy with complete disregard for their personal safety and against overwhelming odds. The conspicuous and extraordinary achievements throughout these many missions against the enemy have been of inestimable value to successful combat operations and have reflected great credit upon themselves and the Armed Forces of the United States of America.