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 Technical Sergeant [then Staff Sergeant] Charles B. Matney (ASN: 18226334), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as radio operator on a B-17 Aircraft of the 508th Bombardment Squadron, during a heavy bombardment attack on enemy installations at Frankfurt, Germany, on 2 March 1944. During heavy and repeated attacks from both ground and air, and though rendered momentarily unconscious by three hits from bursting twenty millimeter shells, Technical Sergeant Matney extinguished a box of blazing incendiary ammunition, rendered vital first aid to three seriously wounded crew members, maintained the vital line of communication from nose to tail of the aircraft, distributed oxygen bottles to crew members, continued intermittently to fight off vicious attacks from enemy aircraft, and ultimately restored some semblance of order and discipline where previous enemy action had disrupted the entire functioning of the crew. This gallantry toward comrades under arms while enduring severe enemy attacks; this courage, initiative and coolness under highly adverse conditions, coupled with a sincere devotion to duty and service reflects the highest credit upon himself, his organization, and the Armed Forces of the United States.