The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Staff Sergeant Joseph R. Myshrall, United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in the North African Theatre of Operations as tail-gunner of a B-17F type aircraft (s/n 41-24437 “Thunderbird”). On 18 June 1943, while on a raid over Messina, Sicily, Staff Sergeant Myshrall’s aircraft, after the loss of Nos. one and two engines, was forced to leave the formation, and dive for the protection of the sea. Immediately thereafter, his aircraft was intercepted by twenty-five ME 109’s and FW 190’s. Remaining cool and calm, and keeping the pilot and crew informed as to the locational tactics of the attacking enemy fighters, Staff Sergeant Myshrall succeeded in destroying two Me 109’s and dispatched the remainder of the enemy fighters. While making a forced landing on the Island of Pantelleria, Staff Sergeant Myshrall’s aircraft was again attacked by four FW-190’s, he again aided greatly in the dispersing of these enemy fighters. Staff Sergeant Myshrall’s courage and skill have reflected great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.