Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Sergeant

    Batallion:

    344th Bombardment Squadron

    Regiment:

    98th Bombardment Group (H)

    Division:

    9th Air Force

    Action Date:

    August 1, 1943

    Headquarters, 9th Air Force, General Orders No. 86 (September 11, 1943)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Sergeant William J. Leo (ASN: 11045139), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight against the enemy in operations against the Ploesti Oil Refineries at Romania on 1 August 1943. These men of the 344th Bombardment Squadron, 98th Bombardment Group who took part in one of the most spectacular, daring and destructive raids ever attempted, all contributed importantly to the successful completion of the task. Flying in the heavily-fortified target area with heavy bombardment aircraft, they bombed and strafed their objectives with enormously damaging effect. The bravery, skill, and fighting spirit these men showed under conditions of extraordinary difficulty and peril were such as to serve as a lasting example of valor in action.