The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pride in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross (Posthumously) to Staff Sergeant Robert M. Bowden (ASN: 18038683), 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. Sergeant Bowden, 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.

(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: 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 Staff Sergeant Robert M. Bowden (ASN: 18038683), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving with the 512th Bombardment Squadron, 376th Bombardment Group, NINTH Air Force, in action against an armed enemy during World War II. His outstanding courage and dedication to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.