(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 Staff Sergeant Edward Paul Troy (Troyanowski) (ASN: 18060759), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Tail Gunner of a B-17 Heavy Bomber in the 323d Bombardment Squadron, 91st Bombardment Group (H), EIGHTH Air Force, while participating in a bombing mission on 17 August 1943, against enemy targets near Regensburg, Germany. Just beyond the German border two sections of enemy Focke-Wulf fighter airplanes took Staff Sergeant Troy’s bomber under fire both in the front and the back. The starboard engines were hit and the aircraft started to tremble to such an extent the pilot had to switch them off. Staff Sergeant Troy was at the back of the aircraft as the Tail Gunner, and reported that one of his .50 machine guns was out of order. The next contact the rudder was hit by some 20-mm. grenades and the Tail Gunner was severely injured by flying shell splinter. In spite of severe injuries Staff Sergeant Troy kept his position to defend it. The personal courage and zealous devotion to duty displayed by Staff Sergeant Troy 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.