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

Citation:  1.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant Joseph C. Stiles, 36th Fighter Group for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight against the enemy in the European Theater of Operations on 2 September 1944. While flying an armed reconnaissance mission over occupied France, Lieutenant Stiles encountered a heavy concentration of anti-aircraft fire, as he approached the target. As he made his first attack on the target, his plane was hit several times by flak. Although control of the plane was rendered difficult because of a large hole in the horizontal stabilizer, Lieutenant Stiles repeatedly attacked his target with complete disregard for his own safety. The heroism displayed by Lieutenant Stiles on this occasion reflects high honor upon himself and the Army Air Forces.