AWARDED DFC: 1
CONFLICT/SPACE FLIGHT/EVENT:  Korea
MODEL:  B-29

Citation:  1.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Staff Sergeant Walter G. Stuka, 93 rd Bombardment Squadron, 19 th Bombardment Group, Medium, for heroism while participating in aerial flight on 10 December 1950. On this date Sergeant Stuka was serving as a Central Fire Control Gunner on a B-29 aircraft carrying a load of 500 pound bombs which were fused with a one to seventy-two hour delay fuse. After the initial bomb run, it was discovered that one of the bombs in the rear bomb bay had not released. Furthermore, the radar operator reported that the arming wire had come loose and the arming vane on the fuse was rotating. Realizing the extreme peril of the situation, Sergeant Stuka immediately volunteered to go into the bomb bay and effect a manual release of the bomb. The aircraft was then at an altitude of 16,000 feet, and as soon as it was depressurized, Sergeant Stuka proceeded to the bomb bay. Exposing himself to the sub-zero temperature, and ignoring the hazards involved, he released the bomb which by this time had become fully armed. Sergeant Stuka's quick thinking and courageous action in an extremely dangerous situation were in keeping with the highest traditions of the service, and reflect great credit upon himself, the Far East Air Forces, and the United States Air Force.