Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Sergeant

    Action Date:

    January 8, 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 Sergeant Zane A. Gemmmill, United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in the European and North African Theatres of Operations as Radio Operator on a B-17 type aircraft. On 8 January 1943, while on a high altitude mission over Bizerte, both waist gunners collapsed from anoxia when their oxygen masks froze in the intense cold. Removing his own mask, Sergeant Gemmill made two separate trips to carry his unconscious comrades to safety. Expertly reviving them, he enabled them to return to their posts, and to assist in dispersing repeated attacks by enemy fighters. On all of his combat missions, Sergeant Gemmill’s coolness, efficiency, and unfailing devotion to duty have reflected great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.