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 Edison Kenneth Danver (ASN: 6654679), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy as Tail Gunner of a B-17 Bomber of the 305th Bombardment Group, EIGHTH Air Force, while participating in a bombing mission over enemy occupied continental Europe on 17 May 1943. The aircraft in which he was serving as Gunner was viciously attacked by a large force of enemy fighter airplanes. During the encounter the aircraft was seriously damaged and Sergeant Danver was severely wounded in both arms as a result of enemy fire. In spite of the hemorrhage and the extreme pain in his arms, and literally fighting in a pool of blood, Sergeant Danver heroically continued to fire upon the enemy throughout the attack. The extraordinary heroism of this soldier contributed materially to the repulse of the enemy attack and the safe return of the aircraft and crew.