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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) Frank Alton Armstrong, Jr. (ASN: 0-17459/427A), U.S. Army Air Corps, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight. On 20 November 1935, Lieutenant Armstrong (then temporary Captain) was piloting an airplane with three passengers and a copilot, from David, Republic of Panama, to Albrook Field, Canal Zone. While flying at an altitude of approximately 4,000 feet over jungle and mountainous terrain, the right engine of the airplane disintegrated. Lieutenant Armstrong, realizing the possibility of the remaining motor quitting and with no landing area visible, signaled to the copilot and passengers to jump a comparatively safe proceeding at this time. With the airplane thus lightened and with the assistance of the copilot who did not jump when ordered to, Lieutenant Armstrong then piloted the airplane to a safe landing on a distant field His courage and coolness in this emergency undoubtedly resulted in saving the lives of the passengers and by preventing a crash landing saved the airplane from destruction.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps)

    Regiment:

    8th Bomber Command

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    August 17, 1942
    Headquarters, 8th Air Force, General Orders No. 18 (August 22, 1942)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps) Frank Alton Armstrong, Jr. (ASN: 0-17459/427A), United States Army Air Forces, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as Operations Officer, 8th Bomber Command, EIGHTH Air Force, in aerial operations in the European Theater of Operations, on 17 August 1942, over Rouen-Sotteville, France. On that date, colonel Armstrong led the first daylight raid ever made by the U.S. Army Air Force over Axis territory. This raid blazed the target without loss of life or aircraft. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army Air Forces.

  • Air Force Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Lieutenant General

    Action Date:

    September 1956 – July 1961
    Department of the Air Force, General Orders No. G-109 (1961)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of Air Force Distinguished Service Medal (Army Design) to Lieutenant General Frank Alton Armstrong, Jr. (ASN: 0-17459/427A), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility during the period from September 1956 to July 1961. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Lieutenant General Armstrong and his dedicated contributions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Brigadier General

    Regiment:

    97th Bombardment Group (H)

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Brigadier General Frank Alton Armstrong, Jr. (ASN: 0-17459/427A), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as Commander, 97th Bombardment Group (H), EIGHTH Air Force, in action over enemy-occupied Continental Europe, during World War II. 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.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Brigadier General

    Regiment:

    97th Bombardment Group (H)

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Brigadier General Frank Alton Armstrong, Jr. (ASN: 0-17459/427A), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded a Fourth Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fifth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as Commander, 97th Bombardment Group (H), EIGHTH Air Force, in action over enemy-occupied Continental Europe, during World War II. 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.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Brigadier General

    Regiment:

    97th Bombardment Group (H)

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Brigadier General Frank Alton Armstrong, Jr. (ASN: 0-17459/427A), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as Commander, 97th Bombardment Group (H), EIGHTH Air Force, in action over enemy-occupied Continental Europe, during World War II. 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.

  • Army Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Brigadier General

    Action Date:

    November 1944 – August 1945
    War Department, General Orders No. 104 (November 15, 1945)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Brigadier General Frank Alton Armstrong, Jr. (ASN: 0-17459/427A), United States Army Air Forces, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility as Commander, 315th Bomb Wing at Peterson Field, Colorado from November 1944 to August 945. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Armstrong and his dedicated contributions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.

  • Air Force Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Major General
    Department of the Air Force, General Orders No. 47 (1956)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal (Army Design) to Major General Frank Alton Armstrong, Jr. (ASN: 0-17459/427A), United States Army Air Forces, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Major General Armstrong and his dedicated contributions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Brigadier General

    Regiment:

    97th Bombardment Group (H)

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Brigadier General Frank Alton Armstrong, Jr. (ASN: 0-17459/427A), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as Commander, 97th Bombardment Group (H), EIGHTH Air Force, in action over enemy-occupied Continental Europe, during World War II. 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.

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Brigadier General

    Regiment:

    97th Bombardment Group (H)

    Division:

    12th Air Force

    Action Date:

    April 5, 1943
    Headquarters, European Theater of Operations, U.S. Army, General Orders No. 53 (August 11, 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 Brigadier General Frank Alton Armstrong, Jr. (ASN: 0-17459/427A), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Commander, 97th Bombardment Group (H), TWELFTH Air Force, while personally leading his B-17 Bomber Group in a bombing mission on Amsterdam, on 5 April 1943. Approximately 150 enemy fighters attacked the formation, directing their principal and continuous attacks head-on against the lead airplane flown by General Armstrong. The airplane was repeatedly hit by machine gun fire and cannon shells, and badly damaged. Fire broke out in the pilot compartment. The co-pilot, navigator, and other crew members were wounded. The oxygen system was destroyed. With great courage and personal disregard for his own safety General Armstrong relinquished his own emergency oxygen bottle to the co-pilot, divested himself of his parachute, and extinguished the flames. Then, with high resolution and dauntless perseverance he continued to lead his formation forward in the attack, thereby inspiring the entire unit with his personal courage. Upon being informed that his navigator was seriously wounded he relinquished the controls, crawled on his hands and knees, without benefit of oxygen, to his navigator and administered first aid, thereby saving his life. The audacity and courage under fire, and the coolness and skill thus displayed by this officer on this occasion, reflect the highest credit upon him and upon the armed forces of the United States.