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39th Bomb Group (VH)

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"Fifty-Second Seabees"
B-29 # 44-69792
5


HEADQUATERS TWENTIETH AIR FORCE
APO 234, c/o Postmaster
San Francisco California

GENERAL ORDERS )    
6 August 1945
NO . . . . 24 )  
Section XXIX

  

       AWARD OF THE DISTINGUISHED-FLYING CROSS--By direction of the President, under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved 2 July 1926 (Bull 8, WD, 1926), and pursuant to authority delegated by Headquarters United States Army Strategic Air Forces in classified letter, file 323, subject: "Delineation of Administrative Responsibilities", dated 16July 1945, announcement is made of, the award of the Distinguished-Flying Cross to the following named officers and enlisted men of the 61st Bombardment Squadron, 39th Bombardment Group.

      For extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on 10 May 1945. These individuals were the bombing team of a B-29 based in the Marianas Islands on a raid against the enemy oil refinery and storage area at Otake, on the island of Honshu, Japan. From the assembly area until the initial point their aircraft was under continuous attack from six enemy fighters, one of which was damaged by their fire. Observing an intense barrage of heavy caliber anti aircraft fire at the briefed initial point, they showed exceptional skill and judgment in leading their squadron around the center of flak and into the bombing run. Although high winds, vastly in excess of the velocity expected were encounter, this team plunged through the tremendous volume of continuous pointed anti-aircraft fire to drop their bombs with devastating accuracy on the enemy. They pointed the way for their formation so well that virtually all the bombs fell was within 1000 feet of the aiming point. By their display of high courage, leadership and exceptional airmanship, they carried out an assignment, which contributed materially to the air war against Japan, and reflected great credit on themselves and the Army Air Forces.

First Lieutenant Frederick Dock, ********, Air Corps, United States Army, as Navigator.

Captain James L. Gary, ********, Air Corps, United States Army, as Airplane Commander.

First Lieutenant George M. Bopp, *******, Air Corps, United States Army, as Bombardier.

First Lieutenant Robert L. Woodard, ********, Air Corps, United States Army, as Radar Observer.


General Order 24 provided by Rowland E. Ball, Nav., P-3

If any one has information regarding Crew 33 (combat or ground) email updates@39th.org

61st Squadron Crew Index
Source: GO24, Rowland Ball