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Distinguished Flying Cross

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15 April 1944

 

General Landon presented the Distinguished Flying Cross to:

 

1st Lt.   Trucker, Donald N.                Pilot

 

The citation is as follows:

 

“For extraordinary heroism in combat evidencing action above and beyond that normally expected.  As airplane commander on a low level strike mission against a strongly fortified enemy held atoll in the Central Pacific Area, at a point approximately half way across the target, his airplane was hit by enemy anti-aircraft shell.  The burst was so severe that the left engine was shot out, the left horizontal stabilizer and rudder badly damaged, a large hole blown in the right aileron and the hydraulic system and emergency landing system rendered useless.  While still over the atoll Lieutenant Trucker feathered the left engine propeller and continued his run across the target, dropping his bombs in the assigned area.  After crossing the atoll he headed the plane for the nearest friendly base.  The airplane lost altitude rapidly so he ordered the crew to throw overboard all unnecessary articles of equipment.  The plane was thus lightened to the extent that that Lieutenant Trucker was able to fly it on one engine to the nearest friendly base where he made a belly crash landing with such skill and dexterity that none of the crew were injured.  Lieutenant Trucker’s outstanding initiative, resourcefulness, and high degree of airmanship contributed materially to the saving of the lives of his crew and exemplified the finest traditions of the Army Air Forces.”

 

General Landon presented the Distinguished Flying Cross to:

 

2nd Lt.   Cherrington, Don C.               Pilot

 

The citation is as follows:

 

“For extraordinary heroism in combat evidencing action above and beyond that normally expected.  As Co-Pilot of a medium bombardment type aircraft on a low-level strike mission against a strongly fortified enemy held atoll in the Central Pacific Area.  His airplane was hit by shrapnel from anti-aircraft bursts.  Three of the crew members were injured by fragments from these bursts and the vertical stabilizer also hit causing the controls to become very mushy.  A few seconds later the airplane was hit by machine gun bullets from attacking fighter planes causing the right engine to catch fire and severely wounding the pilot in the legs and hips.  Lieutenant Cherrington immediately took over control of the airplane which had fallen behind the formation when the right engine was hit.  He tried to feather the right engine propeller but was unable to do so.  By this time the airplane was burning furiously and he decided to make a water landing in order to save the crew from being burned.  Although the sea was very rough with swells from fifteen to twenty feet high Lieutenant Cherrington mangaged to get the wounded pilot into the life raft and all four of them pulled the raft away from the burning airplane.  Lieutenant Cherrington’s initiative and courage contributed materially to the saving of the lives of his crew.  He displayed unusual foresight, good judgement, and a high degree of airmanship I the face of overwhelming odds, and his actions reflect great credit upon the Army Air Forces.”

 

General Landon presented the Distinguished Flying Cross to:

 

Capt.     Bauley, James E.                  Pilot

Capt.     Seeman, George M.                 Pilot

Capt.     Wright, John R.                   Pilot

1st Lt.   McMillan, Cavour L.               Bomb/Nav

1st Lt.   McMillan, Frank A.                Pilot

1st Lt.   Sanislo, Arthur                   Pilot

1st Lt.   Tappan, Robert E. II              Pilot

1st Lt.   Trumble, Stewart E.               Pilot

1st Lt.   Young, Lyndon E.                  Bomb/Nav

2nd Lt.   Cochran, Louis L.                 Pilot

2nd Lt.   Mirzaoff, August Jr.              Pilot

2nd Lt.   Orr, William R.                   Bomb/Nav

2nd Lt.   Thomas, Ralph R. Jr.              Bomb/Nav

T/Sgt.    Evans, Edward T.                  Radio Operator

T/Sgt.    Garrison, Robert L.               Radio Operator

T/Sgt.    Gill, Brientnall S. Jr.           Radio Operator

T/Sgt.    Roberts, Richard S.               Radio Operator

S/Sgt.    Alkire, Gerald R.                 Gunner

S/Sgt.    Beil, Ross R.                     Engineer

S/Sgt.    Bertram, Leland W.H.              Engineer

S/Sgt.    Harker, Rex R.                    Engineer

S/Sgt.    Murkett, Robert V.                Gunner

S/Sgt.    Park, Charles A.                  Gunner

S/Sgt.    Polvogt, Sigfried D.              Gunner

S/Sgt.    Sexton, James N.                  Gunner

S/Sgt.    Shermer, Jack L.                  Gunner

S/Sgt.    Smith, Robert V.                  Engineer

 

08 May 1944

 

Colonel Bywater presented the Distinguished Flying Cross to:

 

Maj.      McDavid, Andrew E.                Pilot

 

Lt. Col. Esau presented the Distinguished Flying Cross to:

 

Capt.     Jameson, Paul G.                  Pilot

Capt.     Kirsch, McAdoo P.                 Bomb/Nav

1st Lt.   Domonic, Thomas J.                Bomb/Nav

1st Lt.   Shaw, William D.                  Pilot

1st Lt.   Thompson, Thomas D.               Pilot

2nd Lt.   Shirley, Everette L.              Bomb/Nav

2nd Lt.   Wolff, Emanual H.                 Bomb/Nav

T/Sgt.    Leake, Zeke                       Radio Operator
T/Sgt.    Graves, William M.                Radio Operator

T/Sgt.    McClain, Donald                   Radio Operator

S/Sgt.    Jaastad, Gerald H.                Engineer

S/Sgt.    Cates, Vernon C.                  Engineer

S/Sgt.    Kemp, Claude W.                   Gunner

S/Sgt.    Newlander, Harold A.              Gunner

S/Sgt.    Smith, John C.                    Engineer

S/Sgt.    Sanderson, Dwight S.              Gunner

 

30 June 1944

 

General Landon presented the Distinguished Flying Cross to:

 

Maj.      McDavid, Andrew E.                Pilot

1st Lt.   Casey, Vincent E.                 Pilot

1st Lt.   Lonsdale, William R.              Pilot

T/Sgt.    Feay, March E.                    Radio Operator

S/Sgt.    Freeman, George J.                Engineer

S/Sgt.    Kochy, Albert W.                  Gunner

 

The Citation for the Distinguished Flying Cross:

 

“For meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flights as members of crews of medium bombardment type aircraft.  They completed 15 strike sorties against the enemy during which exposure to enemy fire was probable and expected.  Throughout these combat operations they displayed high professional skill, courage, and devotion to duty which reflected great credit on themselves and the Army Air Forces.”

 

The Citation for the 1st Oak Leaf Cluster to the Distinguished Flying Cross:

 

“For meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flights as members of crews of medium bombardment type aircraft.  They completed 30 strike sorties against the enemy during which exposure to enemy fire was probable and expected.  Throughout these combat operations they displayed high professional skill, courage, and devotion to duty which reflected great credit on themselves and the Army Air Forces.”

 

The Citation for the 2nd Oak Leaf Cluster to the Distinguished Flying Cross:

 

“For meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flights as members of crews of medium bombardment type aircraft.  They completed 45 strike sorties against the enemy during which exposure to enemy fire was probable and expected.  Throughout these combat operations they displayed high professional skill, courage, and devotion to duty which reflected great credit on themselves and the Army Air Forces.”