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 First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Wendell E. Woolard (ASN: 0-764554), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight over Celebes, Netherlands East Indies, on 3 September 1944, and Formosa on 8 April 1945. On 3 September 1944, Lieutenant Woolard, piloting a heavy bomber participated in one of the first raids against Celebes. In spite of enemy fighter interception and anti-aircraft fire from naval vessels and shore batteries in the Lomboh Straits area, he successfully bombed the target. After leaving the area, mechanical difficulties in two of his engines forced him to make an emergency landing on Middleburg Island. On 8 April 1945, as he led his squadron to bomb Matsuyanna Airdrome, Formosa, heavy weather broke up the formation. When Lieutenant Woolard was unable to climb above the difficult weather, he had to fly by instruments for an hour until he reached the target. Making a bombing run through a break in the clouds, he flew through intense anti-aircraft fire and dropped all his bombs on the target. Although enemy fire had put 18 holes in the plane, he piloted it safely back to his base. The outstanding courage and devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Woolard during these flights are in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Army Air Forces.



