The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Air Force) to Lieutenant Colonel William F. Georgi (AFSN: AO-793100), United States Air Force, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving Pilot of an F-84 Thunderjet Fighter Airplane and as Flight Leader of four F-84 type aircraft of the 49th Fighter-Bomber Group, FIFTH Air Force, in action against enemy forces in the Republic of Korea on 11 December 1952. On that date, Colonel Georgi led his flight to the target, an important enemy truck marshaling area at Hwachan-ni, Korea. After a scathing bombing attack, Colonel Georgi led the flight to another truck marshaling area nearby where strafing attacks were initiated. On his second strafing attack, Colonel Georgi received several direct hits from the intense enemy anti-aircraft fire. Struggling to control his crippled aircraft, Colonel Georgi, utterly disregarding his personal safety, aggressively continued his attack, scoring hits on the enemy trucks. Pulling off the target, Colonel Georgi was informed that his number three man had been hit, sustaining crippling damage which necessitated a bail-out. Disregarding his own precarious position, Colonel Georgi regrouped the remainder of his flight and flew protective cover over the crippled aircraft’s route. Not until he was sure the pilot had bailed-out and had been picked up by friendly troops did Colonel Georgi, then critically low on fuel, return to the nearest United Nations’ airfield. Through his superb flying skill, extraordinary heroism in the face of fierce enemy opposition, Colonel Georgi reflected great credit upon himself, the Far East Air Forces, and the United States Air Force.