(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 Second Lieutenant (Air Corps) Ewart Theodore Sconiers (ASN: 0-724270), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Bombardier of a B-17 Heavy Bomber in the 414th Bombardment Squadron, 97th Bombardment Group (H), EIGHTH Air Force, while participating in a bombing mission on 21 August 1942, against enemy targets at the shipyards in Rotterdam, Holland. Second Lieutenant Sconiers’ bomber was lagging at the back of the formation, causing it to became easy prey for German FW-190 Fighters. A German shell went through the right windscreen and the Co-Pilot was killed instantly. The cockpit was wrecked, the top turret was blown out and pilot was severely wounded in the chest, arm and legs, and his hands were badly burned. His mask had been knocked off and, barely conscious from the lack of oxygen, he managed to call Second Lieutenant Sconiers on the radio. Moving to the cabin, Second Lieutenant Sconiers quickly sized up the situation, put the pilot’s mask back on his face, pulled the body of the co-pilot away from the seat and controls, and took his place. Now at the controls, Second Lieutenant Sconiers noticed that two of the four engines were losing power as he flew the badly-damaged plane within sight of the coast of England. Struggling with the controls while trying to manage the gyrocompass and stabilize the air speed that was being advised by the wounded pilot, Second Lieutenant Sconiers finally managed to return the plane safely back to base. The personal courage and zealous devotion to duty displayed by Second Lieutenant Sconiers 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.