Awards of the Distinguished Flying Cross

4 September 1944

Headquarters 1st Bombardment Division
Office of the Commanding General
APO 557

4 September 1944

GENERAL ORDERS
No. 304

Awards of Distinguished Flying Cross Section I
Awards of an Oak Leaf Cluster to Distinguished Flying Cross Section II

I. Under the provisions of the Army Regulations 600-45, 22 September 1943, as amended and pursuant to authority contained in letter, HQ Eighth Air Force, File 200.6, 4 August 1944, subject, “Awards and Decorations”, the DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS is awarded to the following named Officers and Enlisted man.

MERWYN E. HORNSHUH, 0-690091, First Lieutenant, Air Corps, United States Army. For extraordinary achievement while serving as Pilot of a B-17 airplane on a bombing mission over Germany, 20 June 1944. On this date the aircraft which Lieutenant Hornshuh was piloting sustained severe battle damage immediately after bombs away. The power from two engines was lost completely, the oxygen system was badly damaged and many instruments made inoperative. Lieutenant Hornshuh was forced from formation and on the return flight ordered all excess equipment jettisoned. Upon reaching the English Channel, the ball turret was droppped, enabling Lieutenant Hornshuh to maintain altitude. The remainder of the journey was skillfully accomplished and the aircraft safely landed at home base. The courage, coolness and devotion to duty displayed by this officer reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States. Entered military service from Oregon.

EDWARD C. JORDAN, 0-706190, Second Lieutenant, Air Corps, United States Army. For extraordinary achievement while serving as Pilot of the leading airplane of a bombardment squadron of B-17 aircraft while on a bombing mission over Germany, 6 August 1944. On this date an engine of the airplane which Lieutenant Jordan was piloting almost completely lost its power due to mechanical failure. All attempts to regain maximum efficiency of the engine failed. Demonstrating great determination, Lieutenant Jordan maintained his lead position in the formation and continued on the flight to the important objective. Upon reaching the Initial Point, the bombing run was initiated and bombs were released with a high degree of success. The return journey was accomplished and Lieutenant Jordan expertly landed his plane in England without further damage or injury to the crew. The courage, coolness and devotion to duty displayed by this officer reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States. Entered military service from Illinois.

II. Under the provisions of the Army Regulations 600-45, 22 September 1943, as amended and pursuant to authority contained in letter, HQ Eighth Air Force, File 200.6, 4 August 1944, subject, “Awards and Decorations”, an OAK LEAF CLUSTER is awarded to the following named Officer, for wear with the DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS previously awarded.

By command of Major General WILLIAMS

BARTLETT BEAMAN
Brigadier General, U. S. Army,
Chief of Staff

OFFCIAL:
ROBERTS P. JOHNSON, JR.,
Lieut. Colonel, A.G.D,
Adjutant General

The above is an extract of 398th personnel from General Order 304.

Transcribed August 2003 by Dave Jordan.