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: "Ddefinitions 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 the Japanese home island of Honshu,
Japan 22 June 1945. These individuals were combat
crew members of a B-29 aircraft which led an entire
bombardment group on the highly successful daylight
formation strike from a base in the Marianas against
the Mitsubishi aircraft factory at Tamashina. Completing
assembly at the briefed time in spite of continuously-pointed,
heavy-caliber anti-aircraft fire in the assembly
area, they led the formation unweaveringly in the
flight to the inital point and on the bomb run to
the target. They released their projectiles on the
objective, and achieved an excellent bombing pattern
with devastating results. This crew then led the
formation through more anti-aircraft fire on the
withdrawal. During the entire operation, the exceptional
coolness and courage, the outstanding teamwork and
airmanship, and the superior skill of these veterans
of repeated assaults against the Japanese homeland
were constantly demonstrated. Their actions materially
contributed to the completion of a mission in the
sucessful prosecution of the war, reflectting great
credit upon themselves and the Army Air Forces.
First
Lieutenant HARRY D. HINK, Air Corps, United States
Army, as Pilot.
Flight
Officer JOHN P. ECKERT (then Master
Sergeant), Air Corps, United States Army,
as Flight
Engineer.
Technical
Sergeant ARTHUR LOERA (then
Staff
Sergeant),
Air Corps, United States Army, as Central
Fire Control Gunner.
Staff
Sergeant GERALD C. KELLY, Air Corps, United States
Army, as Radio
Operator.
Staff
Sergeant FRANK C. WEIN (then
Sergeant),
Air Corps, United States Army, as Tail
Gunner.
Staff
Sergeant ROBERT G. WINDELS, (then
Sergeant)
Air Corps, United
States Army, as Right Blister Gunner.
Sergeant
STANLEY L. WESTOVER, JR., Air Corps, United States
Army, as Left
Blister Gunner. |