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

Citation:  1.) The Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement in aerial flight as crew of a B-24 type aircraft. On 2 April 1944, this gallant crew participated in a bombing mission against a vitally important and heavily defended enemy industrial center in Austria. Despite intense and accurate enemy anti-aircraft fire enroute to the target, together with aggressive attacks from large numbers of hostile fighters, this crew courageously battled their way through the enemy defense to the target area. With their aircraft severely damaged, oxygen supply severed, elevator and rudder controls rendered inoperative and the navigator and waist gunner seriously wounded, these men courageously remained at their positions bringing their crippled plane through for a highly successful bombing run, inflicting grave damage to the vital enemy installations and equipment. Turning from the target area under continued persistent enemy opposition, they brought their ship safely through hostile territory, driving off all subsequent attacks and accounting for three ( 3.) enemy fighters destroyed and another probably destroyed. Through their outstanding teamwork and courage in overcoming such formidable odds in the determination to complete their assigned task and bring their aircraft safely back to base, together with their exceptional combat records of over fifty (50) successful missions against the enmy, these men have reflected great credit upon themselves and the Armed Forces of the United States of America.