AWARDED DFC: 1
CONFLICT/SPACE FLIGHT/EVENT:  WWII
MODEL:  P-40

Citation:  1.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Ralph G. Taylor for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in the North African Theatre of Operations as Pilot of a P-40 type aircraft. Captain Taylor led his squadron of sixteen P-40's in a bombing and strafing attack on Sardinia airdromes on 20 July 1943. After destroying fifteen enemy aircraft on the ground at Decimomannu over Montserrato, Captain Taylor shot down two MA 202's while the other P-40's destroyed four. When he became separated from his squadron three MA 202's and one ME 109 attacked him, but Captain Taylor skillfully outmaneuvered the four enemy fighters and destroyed the ME 109, evading the remaining fighters. Captain Taylor has destroyed a total of six enemy fighter planes. His courage and skillful leadership have reflected great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.