AWARDED DFC: 1
CONFLICT/SPACE FLIGHT/EVENT:  WWII
MODEL:  J2F-4 Duck Floatplane

Citation:  1.) The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Benjamin A. Bottoms, RM1C, USCG, for extraordinary achievement in the line of his profession displayed on November 28 and 29, 1942, while participating in aerial flights as radioman of a place incident to the rescue of Army fliers who were stranded on the Greenland Ice Cap in position 65° 17.'s2 North, 41° 25.'s5 West. Bottoms rendered valuable assistance to the pilot on the two flights to the Ice Cap. He maintained excellent contact by radio between his plane and mother ship, keeping her fully informed of the position of the plane, time of arrival at scene of rescue operations, conditions prevalent at the scene, and other pertinent data. He assisted the pilot in rendering aid to the injured and stranded fliers. The courage and close cooperation with the pilot and excellent performance of duty displayed by Bottoms in the rescue operations described above, in which two landings were successfully completed on the Ice Cap was outstanding, and reflects great credit and honor to the Service.