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 George Douglas Faires (ASN: 3329698), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Waist Gunner on a B-17 Heavy Bomber of the 339th Bombardment Squadron, 96th Bombardment Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in action during a bombardment mission over enemy occupied territory, 16 September 1943, when the aircraft in which he was a waist gunner was attacked by six enemy fighter aircraft. In spite of severe wounds in the feet and legs, received as a result of the explosions of a cannon shell, Sergeant Faires remained at his gun position and continued to fire on the attacking aircraft. When the other waist gunner was compelled by wounds to leave his gun position, Sergeant Faires manned both guns simultaneously. After the fighter attacks had ceased, Sergeant Faires, despite painfully wounded feet, stomped out a fire in the rear of the aircraft. Only after the danger from fire had past, did he accept first aid. Sergeant Faires’ repeated acts of heroism on this occasion were an important factor in the safe return of the aircraft to its base and reflect great credit upon himself and the armed forces of the United States.