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The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Sergeant Alexander D. Ciurczak, United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement and heroism in aerial flight. On 11 September 1943, this enlisted man was aerial photographer of a heavy bomber participating in a mission against Japanese installations at Paramushiru which necessitated a long over-water flight in a land-based plane. During this attack, the airplane was badly damaged and despite the fact the pilot was seriously wounded and the co-pilot incapacitated by enemy fire, this enlisted man assisted the pilot in the safe return of his plane to its base. The superior courage, perseverance and airmanship displayed by this enlisted man are in keeping with the finest combat traditions of the Army Air Forces.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Sergeant

    Action Date:

    May 13, 1943 – April 18, 1944
    Citation Courtesy of the Distinguished Flying Cross Society – www.dfcsociety.org

    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 Sergeant Alexander D. Ciurczak, United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement during the period from 13 May 1943 to 18 April 1944, these officers and enlisted men were members of a heavy bomber crew which participated in numerous attacks on Japanese installations in the Western Aleutians, which eventually culminated in the enemy being driven from that territory. This crew also flew on several missions against the Japanese in the Northern Kuriles, all of which necessitated long over water flights in land based planes in the face of adverse weather. Strong enemy opposition was encountered on these missions and they were successfully concluded only by the superior airmanship and courage of the crew. These attacks pioneered the way for a new avenue of attack against the Japanese homeland and they were pressed home despite the difficulty encountered due to weather, distance, and enemy defense. The teamwork and skill demonstrated by these officers and enlisted men are in keeping with the finest tradition of the Army Air Forces.