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) Jerry W. Brown, Sr., United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement in aerial flight as Pilot B-24, 512th Bombardment Squadron, 375th Bombardment Group, 24 May 1944, while participating in a bombing mission against vital strategic enemy installations in Austria. Despite intense and accurate enemy anti-aircraft fire, which seriously wounded his co-pilot and severely damaged the aircraft, Lieutenant Brown courageously brought his plane through for a highly successful bombing run, inflicting grave damages to this vital enemy industrial center. Fighting to maintain control of his aircraft after the seriously wounded co-pilot slumped over the controls, displaying outstanding airmanship and sound judgment; he maintained control of his crippled ship to avoid the danger of collision. Observing the co-pilot was suffering from extreme lack of oxygen due to the failure of his oxygen system, and with complete disregard for his personal safety, he dropped from the protective formation, seeking protection in a cloud bank against imminent fighter attacks. He skillfully brought his plane and crew back to base and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for outstanding professional skill, courage and devotion to duty, as evidence throughout over thirty combat missions against the enemy, Lieutenant Brown has reflected great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.