(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: 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 First Lieutenant (Air Corps) William Casper Schild (ASN: 0-690259), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy as a Pilot of a B-17 Heavy Bomber with the 815th Bombardment Squadron, 483rd Bombardment Group, FIFTEENTH Air Force, in action against enemy forces on 22 June 1944, in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations. On that day, First Lieutenant Schild’s bomber was in action over Northern Italy when his B-17G Flying Fortress Bomber was severely damaged by German anti-aircraft flak. Lieutenant Schild ordered his crew to parachute from the plane but his badly injured Co-pilot was having difficulty getting out of his seat. Lieutenant Schild remained in the cockpit attempting to assist his co-pilot, and when the jumping crew last saw him, Lieutenant Schild was helping him to get out of the damaged plane when the bomber broke in half and crashed. Six men from the plane’s crew of 10 survived. First Lieutenant Schild’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.