(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Technical Sergeant Lifford Easley French (ASN: 34335103), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Flight Engineer and Top Turret Gunner of a B-17 Heavy Bomber in the 535th Bombardment Squadron, 381st Bombardment Group (H), EIGHTH Air Force, while participating in a bombing mission on 6 February 1944, against enemy ground targets at Nancy, France. Technical Sergeant French’s ship, “Touch the Button Nell,” flown by Lieutenant Henry Putek of Chicago, Illinois, was rocked by an explosion in the cockpit while on the way to target. Although French saw a raging fire in the forward end of the aircraft, and saw the co-pilot, navigator, and bombardier bail out of the stricken ship, he refused to leave because the pilot’s parachute had been burned and it was apparent Putek could not get out of the bomber. French fought the fire, suffering severe burns and cuts about the face and neck, and finally succeeded in extinguishing it. Putek got the big ship under control, and French, despite the pain of his burns, assumed the co-pilot’s seat in the virtually open cockpit for the remainder of the trip. Through three fighter attacks, constant anti-aircraft fire, Touch the Button Nell made her way back to England with Putek and French in the cockpit and five heroic gunners at their posts. The condition of the Fortress when Putek landed made the trip almost incredible. There were gaping holes all over, the entire nose had been blown away and many of the controls were gone. The heroic actions of Sergeant French, remaining with the plane, undoubtedly saved the life of the pilot and made possible the safe return of the airplane. The personal courage and zealous devotion to duty displayed by Technical Sergeant French on this occasion have upheld the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 8th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.