Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    446th Bombardment Squadron

    Regiment:

    321st Bombardment Group

    Division:

    12th Air Force

    Action Date:

    April 25, 1945

    Headquarters, U.S. Army Air Forces-Mediterranean Theater of Operations, General Orders No. 60 (June 1, 1945)

    (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 First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Roland Bruce Jackson (ASN: 0-824826), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy as Pilot of a B-25 Bomber of the 446th Bombardment Squadron, 321st Bombardment Group, TWELFTH Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces on 25 April 1945, during a bombing mission at Cavarzere Road, Italy. On that date the target was the Cavarzere Road Bridge. The first flight dropped its 500-pound bombs but the second flight was unable to drop bombs due to heavy, intense, accurate flak that forced them off the bomb course. First Lieutenant Jackson’s aircraft received several direct hits, damaging it severely. Smoke poured from the plane and the crews of the other aircraft thought that the plane was going to either explode in mid-air, or crash before reaching home base. First Lieutenant Jackson told his crew he would stay with the plane and get them home. Three crew members bailed out and one of them was killed when his chute failed to open. First Lieutenant Jackson and the other two crew members stayed with the plane and First Lieutenant Jackson kept the plane in the air until they spotted a friendly base. Men at the base heard the bomber sputtering as First Lieutenant Jackson attempted to maintain control of the plane for landing. With flames highly visible, the plane touched down and the ground crew rushed to the plane and pulled First Lieutenant Jackson and the two remaining crew members from the wreckage only moments before the plane exploded. First Lieutenant Jackson’s unquestionable valor in aerial combat is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.