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Jerome
P.
Dufour

Home:

Los Angeles

, 

California

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    512th Bombardment Squadron

    Regiment:

    376th Bombardment Group

    Division:

    9th Air Force

    Action Date:

    August 1, 1943
    Headquarters, 9th Air Force, General Orders No. 85 (September 9, 1943)

    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) Jerome P. Dufour (ASN: 0-727193), United States Army Air Forces, for distinguished and meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight against the enemy in operations against the Ploesti Oil Refineries of Rumania on 1 August 1943. Lieutenant Dufour, of the 512th Bombardment Squadron, 376th Bombardment Group, NINTH Air Force, did his part valorously and well in one of the most spectacular, daring and destructive raids ever attempted in aviation history. Skimming in at a level barely above the installations to be attacked, they encountered withering, gunfire from some of the world’s heaviest concentrations of anti-aircraft batteries. Yet he continued in the performance of his duty, and in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles, bombed and strafed with enormously destructive effect the heart of the enemy’s fuel supply. His success in this most daring and hazardous enterprise not only brought great honor to himself, but contributed definitely to the final defeat of the enemy and the shortening of the war.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    512th Bombardment Squadron

    Regiment:

    376th Bombardment Group (H)

    Division:

    9th Air Force

    Action Date:

    August 1, 1943
    Headquarters, 9th Air Force, General Orders No. 53 (1943)

    (UNCONFIRMED – Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Jerome P. Dufour (ASN: 0-727193), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a B-24 Liberator Bomber in the 512th Bombardment Squadron, 376th Bombardment Group (Heavy), NINTH Air Force, in aerial operations during the low-level bombing mission against the Oil Refineries at Ploesti, Romania, on 1 August 1943. During a long and hazardous attack against a vital enemy oil installation made at low-altitude by a formation of B-24 type aircraft, he flew through heavy enemy fire against impossible odds. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by First Lieutenant Dufour, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    512th Bombardment Squadron

    Regiment:

    376th Bombardment Group (H)

    Division:

    9th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II
    Headquarters, 9th Air Force, General Orders No. 39 (May 5, 1943)

    (UNCONFIRMED – Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Jerome P. Dufour (ASN: 0-727193), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a B-24 Liberator Bomber in the 512th Bombardment Squadron, 376th Bombardment Group (Heavy), NINTH Air Force, in aerial operations in the North Africa Theater of Operations, in 1943. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by First Lieutenant Dufour, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.