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 First Lieutenant (Air Corps) George W. Mears, United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight from November 1943 to March 1944, as Lead Pilot on B-17 airplanes while assigned to the 511th Bombardment Squadron, 351st Bombardment Group (Heavy), EIGHTH Air Force, in AAF Station 110 in Northamptonshire, England, during World War II. On 18 March 1944, Lieutenant Mears was the flight commander while on a mission to bomb a German airfield in Landsberg, Germany, and was flying as Low Squadron Lead, when his B-17 took direct hits from German fighter aircraft that injured him and caused heavy damage to the aircraft. He was able to recover the damaged aircraft by changing places with the co-pilot, enabling him to take over his controls and fly the plane. With the gas lines out and two engines gone they knew they would never make it back to England, so they set course for Switzerland. After landing in Switzerland, the crew were surrounded by armed guards, searched and taken into interrogation concerning the mission. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Mears reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Corps.