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 A. J. Potter (ASN: 18126040), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Tail Gunner of a B-17 Heavy Bomber in the 524th Bombardment Squadron, 379th Bombardment Group (H), EIGHTH Air Force, during a bombing mission over Germany on 12 August 1943. The aircraft in which he was serving was attacked by large numbers of enemy aircraft, and Sergeant Potter was gravely wounded by enemy cannon fire which also destroyed a window in the tail gunner’s compartment and exposed him to the extreme cold of the high altitude. He remained at his post in spite of the seriousness and pain of his wounds and the extreme cold to which he was subjected, and continued to fire upon the enemy to the extent of destroying one of its aircraft. Only when he was certain that the aircraft in which he was serving was free from enemy attack did he consent to first aid treatment. Due to his extraordinary heroism and coolness under fire, Sergeant Potter contributed substantially to the safe return of the aircraft and crew. His unquestionable valor in aerial combat is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.