Issued: Apr 24, 1944, GENERAL ORDER NO. 58 section II. Thursday
HQ, AAF, CHINA-BURMA-INDIA, AIR MEDAL

G.O. No. 58, c.s., dated 24 April 1944,
II. Awards of the Air Medal. 1. Pursuant to the authority contained in Army Regulations 600-45, War Department, Washington, D. C., 22 September 1943, the Air Medal is hereby awarded to the following named Officers and enlisted men of the * * * Air Commando Group for meritorious achievement in aerial flight on the night of 5 March 1944 during which exposure to enemy fire was probable and expected. Performing extremely hazardous double −tow operation without benefit of guide lights due to the proximity of the enemy, they crossed a 7,000 foot range of mountains during which they encountered haze conditions which continued for the remainder of the mission — approximately four to five hours — fully realizing the impossibility of return, regardless of conditions encountered at their destination, inasmuch as the tow planes were flying the maximum possible distance with such an overload. Landing in territory known to be patrolled by the enemy, they encountered innumerable obstructions making a successful landing, without crashing, very nearly impossible. In spite of hazards involved, they displayed great skill in the accomplishment of these landings which resulted in a minimum of casualties. After landing, they aided in clearing the field for subsequent glider lands, removing crashed gliders and other material and equipment from the field and later assisted in the construction of a landing strip suitable for transport aircraft — a task requiring twelve hours of completion — although their physical endurance had been taxed to the utmost by the strenuous nature of the flight just completed. Their successful accomplishment of this flight with a display of devotion to duty and a degree of efficiency above and beyond that normally expected reflects great credit upon themselves and upon the Army Air Forces of the United States.

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