Navy Federal Credit Union

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Air Corps) Francis Edward Dubisher (AFSN: FR-38396/ASN: 0-1699047), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-47 Fighter Airplane in the 41st Fighter Squadron, 35th Fighter Group, FIFTH Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces near Kau, New Guinea, on 6 February 1943. On this date, Captain Dubisher shot down one enemy airplane in aerial combat. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Captain Dubisher, 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.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Captain (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    41st Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    35th Fighter Group

    Division:

    5th Air Force

    Action Date:

    September 13 – November 23, 1943

    Headquarters, 5th Air Force, General Orders No. 328 (December 12, 1943)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain (Air Corps) Francis Edward Dubisher (AFSN: FR-38396/ASN: 0-1699047), United States Army Air Forces, for heroism while participating in aerial flight and exceptional and outstanding accomplishment in the face of great danger above and beyond the line of duty while serving as Pilot of a P-47 Fighter Airplane in the 41st Fighter Squadron, 35th Fighter Group, FIFTH Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces on in the Southwest Pacific Area during the period of 14 September 1943 to 23 November 1943. These operations consisted of over fifty missions including escorting bombers and transport aircraft, interception and attack missions, and patrol and reconnaissance flights. In the course of these operations, strafing and bombing attacks were made from dangerously low altitudes, destroying and damaging enemy installations and equipment. His devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel

    Action Date:

    August 6, 1967 – September 4, 1968

    Department of the Air Force, Special Order GB-156 (March 20, 1969

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Lieutenant Colonel Francis Edward Dubisher (AFSN: FR-38396/ASN: 0-1699047), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Plans and Policy Officer, 73 Division United Nations Command United States Forces Korea, from 6 August 1967 to r September 1968. Through the use of foresight, professional knowledge, perseverance, intelligence, and untiring devotion to duty, Colonel Dubisher contributed greatly to the combat effectiveness of United Nations and United States Forces in Korea. Particularly noteworthy was his development of the Counter-Infiltration/Counter-Guerilla Concepts and Requirements Plan which has significantly increased the capability of United Nations Command forces to counter North Korean Infiltration and subversive activities. In addition, Colonel Dubisher contributed immeasurably to the development and modification of major war plans and operational policies for the employment of combat power of this command under conditions of general and limited war. Personal excellence, sound judgment, broad and detailed professional knowledge, and whole-hearted dedication to duty, earned him the open respect of all his associates. Colonel Dubisher’s truly outstanding service during his assignment to this command has been instrumental in maintaining a high state of combat readiness of Free World Forces in Korea. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Dubisher and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Captain (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    41st Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    35th Fighter Group

    Division:

    5th Air Force

    Action Date:

    March 17 – August 26, 1943

    Headquarters, 5th Air Force, General Orders No. 205 (September 24, 1943)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain (Air Corps) Francis Edward Dubisher (AFSN: FR-38396/ASN: 0-1699047), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in fifty operational flight missions while serving as Pilot of a P-47 Fighter Airplane in the 41st Fighter Squadron, 35th Fighter Group, FIFTH Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces on in the Southwest Pacific Area from 17 March 1943 to 26 August 1943, during which hostile contact was probable and expected. These operations included escorting bombers and transport aircraft, interception and attack missions, and patrol and reconnaissance flights. In the course of these operations, strafing and bombing attacks were made from dangerously low altitudes, destroying and damaging enemy installations and equipment. Throughout these flights, Captain Dubisher demonstrated outstanding courage, ability and devotion to duty. His actions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Captain (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    41st Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    35th Fighter Group

    Division:

    5th Air Force

    Action Date:

    August 15, 1943

    Headquarters, U.S. Army Forces in the Far East, General Orders No. 82 (December 19, 1943)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Captain (Air Corps) Francis Edward Dubisher (AFSN: FR-38396/ASN: 0-1699047), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-47 Fighter Airplane in the 41st Fighter Squadron, 35th Fighter Group, FIFTH Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces near Taili Taili, New Guinea, on 15 August 1943. Leading a formation of fifteen fighters escorting transport aircraft about to land, Captain Dubisher observed eleven enemy bombers and twenty-seven fighters approaching the field. Disregarding the numerical superiority of the enemy, he immediately attacked, although their fighters were in favorable position above his formation. In a furious engagement lasting less than two minutes, his formation shot down all eleven bombers before they could make a run, Captain Dubisher personally accounting for three. Although fuel and ammunition were low, he then turned his formation to attack the enemy fighters, which attacking the landing transport aircraft. He employed such skillful tactics that the enemy were dispersed before they could deliver a concentrated attack on the transports, and three enemy fighters were destroyed. Captain Dubisher exhibited great daring on this occasion, and by his prompt and decisive leadership saved the transport aircraft from destruction. Captain Dubisher’s unquestionable valor in aerial combat is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 5th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    41st Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    35th Fighter Group

    Division:

    5th Air Force

    Action Date:

    September – December 1942

    Headquarters, 5th Air Force, General Orders No. 16 (January 23, 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) Francis Edward Dubisher (AFSN: FR-38396/ASN: 0-1699047), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as Pilot of a P-47 Fighter Airplane in the 41st Fighter Squadron, 35th Fighter Group, FIFTH Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces on in the Southwest Pacific Area from September to December 1942. During this period, Lieutenant Dubisher participated in more than fifty operational flight missions, during which hostile contact was probably and expected. These flights included interception missions against enemy fighters and bombing planes. Throughout these operations Lieutenant Dubisher demonstrated outstanding flying ability. The skillful and zealous manner in which he has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Major (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    41st Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    35th Fighter Group

    Division:

    5th Air Force

    Action Date:

    March 13, 1944

    Headquarters, 5th Air Force, General Orders No. 294 (May 12, 1944)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major (Air Corps) Francis Edward Dubisher (AFSN: FR-38396/ASN: 0-1699047), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as Pilot of a P-47 Fighter Airplane in the 41st Fighter Squadron, 35th Fighter Group, FIFTH Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces over Wewak, New Guinea, on 13 March 1944. Major Dubisher, participating in a formation of P-47’s furnishing top cover for bombers, observed a hostile plane flying low over the sea. Descending in a steep dive, his flight attacked and Major Dubisher saw his tracers entering the enemy’s cockpit. The Japanese pilot was apparently killed, as his aircraft plunged into the water without smoking or burning. This is the fifth enemy aircraft destroyed by Major Dubisher in aerial combat. The skillful and zealous manner in which he has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Force of the United States.