Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Citation:
"For extraordinary achievement while participating in areal flight 29 May 1945. These individuals were members of the combat crew of a B-29 aircraft on a devastating, medium altitude, daylight incendiary strike against Yokohama, Japan. From the initial point until long after the bombs were dropped, their formation was subjected to a shattering concentration of continiously-pointed flak, which scored several hits on their bomber, and to vicious attacks by ten fighters. Despite this fierce opposition, however these crewmen, with outstanding courage and skill, maintained theri aircraft exactly on the briefed heading to the target without resorting to evasive tactics. At the target they dropped their bombs accurately on the briefed aiming point with devastating effect. While the formation was still under intense enemy fire, they left the comparative safety of the formation to escort a severly damaged Superfortress which could not stay in position. Thereafter, until the coast of Japan was left behind, they repeatedly repulsed attemts by enemy planes to bring down the damaged B-29. When the crippled bomber was ditched this crew circled the survivors and called in its position to a Dumbo, until rescue craft appeared on the scene. The courage and fortitude displayed by this veteran combat crew, together with their outstanding professional skill, was instrumental in saving the lives of the survivors of a ditched crew, and reflect the greatest credit upon themselves and the Army Aair Force."