AWARDED DFC: 3
CONFLICT/SPACE FLIGHT/EVENT:  WWII
MODEL:  B-24D-1

Citation:  1.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant Robert J. Sylvernale, 400th Bombardment Squad, 90th Bombardment Group (H), for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight over enemy shipping lanes, north of the equator, on 4 November 1943. Lieutenant Sylvernale was the Pilot of a B-24D-1 type aircraft which was engaged on an armed reconnaissance mission when an enemy convoy was sighted, consisting of nineteen ships. In the face of extremely intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire from enemy warships, he shadowed the convoy for nearly two hours. Scattered clouds covered the convoy and, Lieutenant Sylvernale found it necessary to descend to 6,000 feet to obtain clear photographs of some of the naval vessels. Also, his aircraft had to avoid float planes launched from some of the warships or neighboring bases. He made several feints at the convoy causing it to take evasive action and to expend an extremely large amount of heavy caliber ammunition. Due to this action, one enemy destroyer lagged behind the other vessels and Lieutenant Sylvernale made a bombing run on this ship, scoring near misses. As a result of this highly successful reconnaissance mission, attacks were later made on various elements of this convoy.

2.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Robert J. Sylvernale for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in the Southwest Pacific area from 4 July 1943 to 28 November 1943. During this period, Captain Sylvernale participated in sustained operational activity against the enemy during which hostile contact was probable and expected. These flights included bombing missions against enemy airdromes and installations and attacks on enemy naval vessels and shipping. Throughout these operations, Captain Sylvernale displayed outstanding courage, ability, and devotion to duty.

3.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Robert J. Sylvernale for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight over Rabaul, New Britain, on 25 October 1943. Captain Sylvernale was Pilot of one of a formation of six B-24D-1 type bombers, which completed a daylight strike mission against Lakunai airdrome. Due to bad weather, the fighter escort turned back before the target was sighted, but the bomber formation continued on its course. About ten minutes before the target area was reached, the formation was intercepted by approximately thirty-five enemy fighters which continued their attacks while the bombers were over the target and enroute back. The engagement lasting for thirty minutes. During the battle, Captain Sylvernale’s crew destroyed two enemy fighters and probably destroyed two others and, altogether, the formation destroyed eighteen enemy airplanes. Despite fighter interception and intense anti-aircraft fire, a bombing run was made, and the formation dropped 240 fragmentation clusters on the target, starting numerous fires and destroying several enemy airplanes on the ground. One of the bombers was seriously damaged during the bombing run and the enemy fighters immediately began to concentrate their fire on the crippled aircraft. A close formation was formed around this bomber, and this action unquestionably saved the damaged airplane from destruction, as repeated attempts by the enemy to attack it were repelled by concentrated fire power. Although all the bombers were damaged, they returned safely to the home base. Through this engagement, Captain Sylvernale displayed outstanding courage, ability, and devotion to duty.