Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

1st Lieutenant

Unit:

485th Fighter Squadron, 370th Fighter Group, U.S. Army Air Forces

Awarded on:

October 22nd, 1944

Recommendation:
"Crossing an enemy airfield near St Quentin, after a strafing mission, 23 May 1944, 1st Lt. Frank B. Radcliff and a fellow pilot ran into a barrage of anti-aircraft fire from numerous ground installations. One of these installations, containing five or six guns, was scoring hits on the other plane, as Lt Radcliff could see from the course of tracer bullets, the other plane was badly damaged and operating on one motor. Disregarding personal safety, Lt. Radcliff banked his plane into the line of fire and attacked this heavily armed ground installation, killing or wounding all it's personnel and silencing all it's guns. By this gallantry, he aided his comrade to fly out of the zone of greatest danger. Although he was low on gasoline and there were unidentified planes in the vicinity, Lt. Radcliff remained to escort the crippled plane. Instrument weather during the whole return trip and more flak at several points increased the hazard, but Lt. Radcliff succeeded in bringing himself and his comrade safely back to their base in England."

On October 22, 1944, Lt. Col. Seth J. McKee, Air Corp Deputy Commander responded as follows:

"1. Approved

2. Lt Radcliff has distinguished himself as one of the outstanding pilots of his squadron while flying 71 combat missions."

(Frank B. Radcliff went on to obtain rank of Captain and flew a total of 88 missions while in Europe.)



Lt. Frank B. Radcliff was recommended for the DFC on October 21, 1944 by Major Walter C. Hearne Air Corps, Commanding.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)