The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain (Air Corps) Frank Clemmons, Jr. (ASN: 0-440344), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations as Bombardier of a B-17 type aircraft. On 2 November 1943, Captain Clemmons led his formation on a bombing mission against an important enemy aircraft factory in Austria. Manning the nose guns against persistent enemy fighter attacks for over thirty minutes before the target was reached, Captain Clemmons materially aided in the defense of his aircraft until the bombing run. Increased enemy opposition was encountered over the target, rendering one engine inoperative, causing his ship to drop behind the formation. Disregarding this added difficulty, with outstanding professional skill, he successfully accomplished the lone bombing run, dropping his bombs directly on the target, inflicting severe damage to the vital enemy aircraft factory. Resuming his position, he fought off successive waves of hostile planes, and in the ensuing air battle his crew was credited with four enemy aircraft destroyed. Not until his plane was safely out of enemy territory did he leave his guns. By his outstanding professional skill, courage, and leadership, together with his personal combat record of over fifty successful missions against the enemy, Captain Clemmons has reflected great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States of America.