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 Second Lieutenant (Air Corps) Wilbur S. Hattendorf (ASN: 0-656464), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in the North African Theater of Operations as Pilot of a P-38 type aircraft. On 22 March 1943, Lieutenant Hattendorf’s squadron escorted fifteen B-26’s on a bombing mission against a large enemy convoy in the Gulf of Tunis on which at least three enemy ships were sunk or left in flames. A fierce dogfight with many enemy fighters ensured during and after the bomb run. Lieutenant Hattendorf played an important role in protecting the bombers, damaging one enemy fighter and exhausting the balance of his shells on others. Although without ammunition for his guns, he protected a lone P-38, struggling home on one engine. On several occasions, enemy fighters attacked the crippled plane, but broke away when Lieutenant Hattendorf feinted attack. His outstanding gallantry, courage and devotion to duty have reflected great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.