(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 First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Dean Murray Radtke (ASN: 0-468393), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a B-17 Heavy Bomber in the 418th Bombardment Squadron, 100th Bombardment Group (H), EIGHTH Air Force, while participating in a bombing mission on 30 December 1943, against enemy targets in in the European Theater of Operations. On a bombing mission to Ludwigshaven, Lieutenant Radtke’s aircraft sustained severe flak damage in the target area. It was then attacked by a pair or FW-190’s southwest of Abbeville where a number of 20-mm. shells riddled the left wing and nose. One shell socked through the navigators compartment and struck the copilot in the head and he was decapitated. Shell fragments struck Lieutenant Radtke, wounding him in the face, head, and in the neck next to his jugular vein. One fragment completely closed his right eye and splinters from the instrument panel were driven into the muscles of his right leg, rendering it useless. The explosion also ripped the oxygen mask from his face and stunned the engineer. Upon regaining his senses, the engineer could see the pilot and copilot slumped over the controls. Blood was splattered over the shell-pitted cockpit. The windows were shattered and broken. At this time Lieutenant Radtke regained consciousness and called the rest of the crew and reassured them everything was ok. Most of the crew was unaware of the damage in the cockpit and the loss of the copilot or the injuries he had sustained. Due to the loss of one engine and severed control cables, the plane lagged behind the formation. Lieutenant Radtke made the decision to attempt to regain position in the formation. Failure to do so would result in the damaged aircraft trying to make it back alone over enemy territory with German fighters looking for “stragglers” to pick off. With fingers useless because of severe cuts, he used the butts of his hands to manipulate the controls and fought his way back into position. Upon reaching Thorpe Abbotts, Lieutenant Radtke brought his ship in for a prefect landing. The personal courage and zealous devotion to duty displayed by First Lieutenant Radtke on this occasion 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.