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 Harry Ray Shirey (ASN: 13108116), 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 339th Bombardment Squadron, 96th Bombardment Group (H), EIGHTH Air Force, while participating in a bombing mission on 8 May 1944, against enemy targets near Bremen, Germany. On that date, when is B-17 was crippled by enemy fighter attacks, Staff Sergeant Shirey refused to bail out. Although painfully wounded in both legs, he remained at his guns to keep the attacking enemy at bay until the rest of the crew could safely leave the airplane. Staff Sergeant Shirey continued to return the enemy fire until the B-17 exploded, when he barely escaped with his life. The personal courage and zealous devotion to duty displayed by Staff Sergeant Shirey 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.