The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Staff Sergeant Frederick Wenas Durand (ASN: 16021949), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving on a B-24 Heavy Bomber in the 67th Bombardment Squadron, 44th Bombardment Group (H), NINTH Air Force (Attached), while participating in a bombing mission on 1 August 1943, against the Ploesti Oil Refineries in Rumania. When the B-24 aircraft in which he was serving as Tail Gunner on a low-level raid on a vital enemy installation was seriously damaged while over the target and three of the engines incapacitated making the plane an easy victim for enemy fighter craft, Staff Sergeant Durand stood by his guns to battle the attacking planes. So skillfully and with such precision did he man his guns that he personally accounted for two aircraft shot down and the remainder driven off. His heroic conduct in the face of withering anti-aircraft fire and repeated attacks by enemy fighter craft and his cool precision in his work undoubtedly saved the damaged aircraft from almost certain destruction. The personal courage and zealous devotion to duty displayed by Staff Sergeant Durand on this occasion, at the cost of his life, exemplified the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 9th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.