Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

1st Lieutenant

Unit:

Flight Commander, G Flight, 411th Fighter Squadron, 373rd Fighter Group, U.S. Army Air Forces

Citation:
"Awarded for aerial action in the Roer River campaign, Germany, 1945. Lt. Byers, "G" Flight Commander, 411th Fighter Squadron, with three P-47 Thunderbolts did attack and destroy armed ammunition train. Despite heavy anti-aircraft fire from train flak cars, the attack proceeded. Lt. Byers received a direct hit in the engine by 20mm shell. Unaware of damage, Lt. Byers exploded the train engine, immobilizing train, which was subsequently destroyed by members of his flight. After said action, Lt. Byers assembled stray elements of squadrons 410 and 412 in the number of nine aircraft and led them back to airfield near Venlo, Germany."

Due to battle damage, Lt. Byers' P-47 aircraft was declared unserviceable after inspection at air base.