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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 Second Lieutenant (Air Corps) Robert Marvin McComsey (ASN: 0-430834), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight over Darwin, N.T., Australia, on 16 June 1942. When his airplane was so badly damaged in aerial combat that only aileron control remained, he elected to attempt to bring his aircraft in at the risk of his life rather than abandon it. By crash landing at an emergency field, with the result that his airplane could be repaired and returned to service.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    9th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    49th Fighter Group

    Division:

    5th Air Force

    Action Date:

    June 15, 1942
    Headquarters, 5th Air Force, General Orders No. 11 (September 30, 1942)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Robert Marvin McComsey (ASN: 0-430834), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving Pilot of a Fighter Airplane of the 9th Fighter Squadron, 49th Fighter Group, FAR EAST Air Force, in aerial operations over Australia, on 15 June 1942. First Lieutenant McComsey was a member of a flight which intercepted a large Japanese formation near Darwin, Australia. He displayed great courage in a hot engagement in which he outfought and shot down a Japanese Zero fighter. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by First Lieutenant McComsey, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Major (Air Corps)

    Action Date:

    World War II
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major (Air Corps) Robert Marvin McComsey (ASN: 0-430834), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight during World War II. The skillful and zealous manner in which he has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.