(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 Staff Sergeant Peter Joseph Ridolfi, United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as a Gunner in a B-24 Bomber of the 514th Bombardment Squadron, 376th Bombardment Group, TWELFTH Air Force, in action against enemy forces on 5 October 1943, during a bombing mission against the Eleusia Air Drome, at Athens, Greece. Returning from target after dropping their bombs, Staff Sergeant Ridolfi’s B-24 was met by enemy fighters. During the air battle, Staff Sergeant Ridolfi was struck by fragments of a 20-mm. shell and lost his left eye. The bomber’s gunners shot down two of the enemy but their B-24 was badly damaged and set on fire by enemy guns, and the crew was ordered to bail out over enemy territory. For three months the crew kept on the move in efforts to evade the enemy and return to safety. Three of Staff Sergeant Ridolfi’s comrades were captured by the Germans, and three were killed. After being reported as “Missing in Action”, following three months of evasion, Staff Sergeant Ridolfi reached friendly lines. Staff Sergeant Ridolfi’s 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.