AWARD
OF THE DISTINGUISHED-FLYING-CROSS--By direction
of the President, under the provisions of the Act
of Congress, approved 2 July 1926 (Bull 8, WD 1926),
and persuant to authority delegated by Headquaters
United States Army Strategic Air Forces in letter,
file AG 323; subject: "Definitions of Administrative
Responsibilities", dated 6 August 1945, announcement
is made of the award of the Distinguished-Flying-Cross
to the following named officers and enlisted men
of the 61st Bombardment Squadron, 39th Bombardment
Group.
For
extraordinary achievement while participating in
aerial flight over Kawasaki, Japan, on 15 April
1945. These individuals were members of the combat
crew of a B-29 aircraft assigned to the highly-successful
night incendiary strike against the Japanese industrial
and transportation center of Kawasaki. In spite
of an intense volume of continuously pointed enemy
anti-aircraft fire in the target area, they released
their bombs squarely in the target area. Immediately
after bombs away, their B-29 plunged into a towering
column of dense black smoke. The airplane was thrown
violently upward, over on its back, and then downward.
In spite of the efforts of the airplane commander
and the pilot, the plane was again turned over and
was then pulled downwards. They finally recovered
at an altitude of 900 feet, and made their way clear
of the target area. The cool courage, outstanding
airmanship, and skill, displayed by these veterans
of repeated assaults against the Japanese homeland,
materially contributed to the success of this mission,
aiding in the sucessful prosecution of the war.
Their actions reflect great credit upon themselves
and the Army Air Forces.
First
Lieutenant GEORGE F. BUCHER, Air Corps, United States
Army, as Bombardier.
First
Lieutenant GARVIN R. KOWALKE, Air Corps, United
States Army, as Pilot.
First
Lieutenant RUBE F. SCHEIDER, Air Corps, United States
Army, as Flight
Engineer.
First
Lieutenant ERNEST D. SMITH, JR. (then Second
Lieutenant),
Air Corps, United States Army, as Radar
Observer.
Staff
Sergeant MARVIN N. CONLEY, JR. (then
Corporal), Air Corps, United States Army,
as Radio Operator.
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