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 Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps), [then Major] William Harold Brandon (ASNL 0-404078), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a B-24 Heavy Bomber with Headquarters, 44th Bombardment Group (H), NINTH Air Force (Attached), while participating in a bombing mission on 1 August 1943, against the Ploesti Oil Refineries in Rumania. As pilot of the lead aircraft in an attack upon a highly important refinery, Colonel Brandon, despite the fact that his aircraft was subjected to intense antiaircraft and machine gun fire, did not waver from his course. For inasmuch as the attack was carried out at very low altitude, a novel procedure for such aircraft, and because the target was of such nature that an exact course was necessary, to have taken normal evasive action would have disrupted the formation. Upon approaching the target, Colonel Brandon observed that it had previously been subjected to attack, which had resulted in the firing of the oil tanks and the explosion of delayed action bombs. Nevertheless, Colonel Brandon led his formation directly into the target at low level and by his skillful piloting, bravery, and heroic perseverance, made possible the virtual destruction of the vital target. The personal courage and zealous devotion to duty displayed by Major Brandon on this occasion, even when confronted with practically certain destruction, exemplified the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 9th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.