(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 Sergeant James Robert Cockriel (ASN: 17175473), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while assigned as Right Waist Gunner on a B-24 Heavy Bomber in the 700th Bombardment Squadron, 445th Bombardment Group (H), EIGHTH Air Force, in action against enemy forces from 22 April to 6 September 1944. Sergeant Cockriel’s bomber was damaged by flak on a bombing mission over Koblenz and the crew was ordered to bail out over Belgium. Although most of the crew was captured by the Germans, Staff Sergeant Mahoney and Staff Sergeant John F. Mahoney evaded and made contact with a local resistance group in Ingooigem, Belgium. They joined the organization by actively participating in the resistance movement, engaging in sabotage of the enemy for five months. On September 6, 1944, the two men and a group of 20 partisans planned to join a nearby British tank patrol unit already engaged in combat, when they were captured by German soldiers. Staff Sergeant Mahoney and three Belgians died in a machinegun execution by the Germans but Sergeant Cockriel and one Belgium survived the murder attempt.
The personal courage and zealous devotion to duty displayed by Sergeant Cockriel throughout this period 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.