Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    347th Bombardment Squadron

    Regiment:

    99th Bombardment Group (H)

    Division:

    15th Air Force

    Action Date:

    October 5, 1944

    Headquarters, U.S. Army-Mediterranean Theater of Operations, General Orders No. 56 (December 5, 1944)

    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) Joseph Marshall Fox (ASN: 0-761808), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy as Pilot of a B-17 type aircraft of the 347th Bombardment Squadron, 99th Bombardment Group (H), FIFTEENTH Air Force, in the Mediterranean Theater of Action on 5 October 1944. Shortly after the aircraft was airborne, two engines and the gasoline tanks in the left wing burst into flames which required immediate feathering of both engines. With the danger of an explosion imminent from the fire fiercely raging throughout the wing and burning through the bomb bay wall, Lieutenants Joseph M. Fox and Francis Woods courageously remained at their controls and devoted their entire efforts towards maintaining level flight of the virtually uncontrollable aircraft for a sufficient length of time to allow the crew to abandon ship. With the loss of altitude they realized the crew could not parachute to safety, thus they forced the aircraft to a safe altitude after which time all but Sergeant Kosters abandoned ship. Sergeant Allen Kosters, although realizing the necessity for leaving immediately, returned to his position on the flight deck to buckle parachutes on Lieutenants Fox and Woods, who were unable to do so because of the necessity of fighting to maintain control of the aircraft. A few short seconds after the remainder of the crew had parachuted to safety, the ship was observed to crash into the ground with gas tanks and bomb load exploding immediately after contact. By deliberately sacrificing their own lives, these gallant men saved the lives of the other members of their crew. Their display of unusual gallantry, cool courage and intrepidity at loss of life reflects great credit upon themselves and the Armed Forces of the United States.