chapter vii freshman missions plus the rough ones, april 1944.

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GENERAL ORDERSNUMBER 239HEADQUARTERSFIFTEENTH AIR FORCEAPO 52019 April 1944.SECTION XII – AWARDS OF THE DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSSJOSEPH N. DONOVAN, 0-666158, First Lieutenant, Air Corps, 766 th BombardmentSquadron, 461 st Bombardment Group, United States Army. For extraordinaryachievement while participating in aerial flight. On 7 April 1944, Lieutenant Donovanwas the lead pilot of a group of B-24 type aircraft on a mission to bomb an enemy railcenter in Italy. Because of his skill and judgment as a leader, Lieutenant Donovan waschosen to lead the group on this vitally important mission. The target was obscured byhaze, making perception extremely difficult, and, an intense concentration of accurateheavy flak, which damaged several planes in the formation, was encountered on thebombing run. Despite the heavy opposition and grave danger, he concentrated onmaintaining his course, enabling his bombardier to make a perfect bomb run on thetarget. Due to the excellent formation flown and the faultless bomb pattern obtained,grave damage was inflicted on enemy equipment, material, and installations. LieutenantDonovan’s rapid development of tactical ability, his consummate flying skill and superiorleadership has reflected great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the UnitedStates of America. Residence at appointment: San Luis Ptotsi, MexicoGEORGE V. LEFFLER, 0-2043762, First Lieutenant, Air Corps, Headquarters, 461 stBombardment Group, United States Army. For extraordinary achievement whileparticipating in aerial flight in the Mediterranean Theatre of Operations as groupbombardier of B-24 type aircraft. As lead bombardier during a high altitude daylightbombingmission over an enemy rail center in Italy on 7 April 1944, Lieutenant Lefflerfound the target obscured by haze, making accurate bombing extremely difficult.Directing the coordination of the entire formation with superb craftsmanship andconcentrating on his task, despite an intense barrage of heavy and accurate enemy antiaircraftfire, he made a perfect bombing run on the target, thus enabling the entireformation to drop their bombs with exceptionally successful results. Because of theprecision and leadership so ably displayed by Lieutenant Leffler in his capacity of greatresponsibility as lead bombardier on this and other combat missions against the enemy,he has reflected great credit upon himself and the Air Forces of the United States ofAmerica. Residence at appointment: Madison, Wisconsin.OFFICIAL:By order of Major General Twining:/s/ J.M. IVINSJ.M. IVINSR.K. Taylor,Colonel, GSC,Chief of Staff.14
GENERAL ORDERSLieutenant Colonel, AGD,Adjutant General.HEADQUARTERSFIFTEENTH AIR FORCEAPO 52030 April 1944.NUMBER 314SECTION V – AWARDS OF THE DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS AND/OROAK LEAF CLUSTER FOR THE DESTINGUISHED FLYING CROSSUnder the provisions of AR 600-45, as amended, and pursuant to authority containedin Circular No. 26, Headquarters NATOUSA, 6 March 1944, the Distinguished FlyingCross and/or Oak Leaf Cluster for the Distinguished Flying Cross, in the categories aslisted, is awarded the following named officers, Air Corps, United States Army, residenceas indicated, with the following citation:For extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in MediterraneanTheatre of Operations as pilot, co-pilot, navigator and bombardier of a B-24 type aircraft.On 13 April 1944, while leading their group on a vitally important bombing missionagainst an enemy aircraft factory in Hungary, severe and intense enemy opposition wasencountered in the target area that seriously damaged their plane, and rendered one (1)engine inoperative. Despite the fact that adverse weather conditions had partiallyobscured the objective and their aircraft was practically unairworthy, these crew membersknowing the importance of their heavy responsibility, continued through to the target andled the group on a flawless bombing run which caused utter demolition of vital enemyinstallations, factories, and material. Continuing on from the target area through averitable hail of enemy anti-aircraft fire during which their plane was further damaged,they led their group formation safely home without loss. By their exceptionalprofessional skill, outstanding leadership and intense devotion to duty, these officers,through their cool efficiency in completing a successful and important mission againstgreat odds, upheld the highest tradition of the Military Service, thereby reflecting greatcredit upon themselves and the Armed Forces of the United States of AmericaDISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSSWILLIAM (NMI) BURKE, 0-409947, Major, Headquarters, 461 st BombardmentGroup. Residence at appointment: Orwigsburg, Pennsylvania.MARION M. PRUITT, 0-356129, Captain, Headquarters, 461 st BombardmentGroup. Residence at appointment: Greenville, Texas.MARION C. MIXSON, 0-382635, first Lieutenant, Headquarters, 461 stBombardment Group. Residence at appointment: Charleston, South CarolinaFIRST (1 st ) OAK LEAF CLUSTER (BRONZE) FOR THE DISTINGUISHEDFLYING CROSS15
Page 1 and 2: CHAPTER VII FRESHMAN MISSIONS PLUS
Page 3 and 4: Intops Summary No. 255, 2 April 194
Page 5 and 6: ombing, the crew members began to b
Page 7 and 8: For the seventh mission, which was
Page 9 and 10: Mission No. 11, 20 April 1944 - Tag
Page 11: Date Target1 st Lt. William H. Zums
Page 16 and 17: GEORGE V. LEFFLER, 0-2043762, First
Page 18 and 19: APPENDAGE No. 1SPECIAL ORDERSNUMBER
Page 24 and 25: APPENDAGE No. 6APPENDAGESChapter VI

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