Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

1st Lieutenant

Unit:

Far East Air Forces

Awarded on:

July 30th, 1945

Citation:
"For extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight over Mount Malerunya, Luzon, Philippine Islands, on 20 April 1945. Lieutenant Canter was leader of one of the 3 flights in a formation of A-20 aircraft dispatched to attack a force of approximately 1000 Japanese entrenched in a deep, narrow gulch between towering hills. In order to reach the enemy lines he had to climb over our forces, which were located near the enemy lines, then dive sharply down to the target area. He led his flight on a successful bombing and strafing attack, completely annihilating the Japanese. By precise timing, he pulled out of the run just in time to avoid crashing into the hills. The outstanding courage and devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Canter during this flight are in keeping with the highest tradition of the United States Army Air Forces."