| AWARD
OF THE DISTINGUISHED-FLYING-CROSS--By direction
of the President, under the provisions of the Act
of Congress, approved 2 July 1926 (Bull 8, WD 1926),
and persuant to authority delegated by Headquaters
United States Army Strategic Air Forces in letter,
file AG 323; subject: "Definitions of Administrative
Responsibilities", dated 6 August 1945, announcement
is made of the award of the Distinguished-Flying-Cross
to the following named officers and enlisted men
of the 61st Bombardment Squadron, 39th Bombardment
Group.
For
extraordinary achievement while participating in
aerial flight 5 June 1945. These individuals were
combat crew members of a B-29 aircraft assigned
to the highly-successful daytime formation strike
from a base in the Marianas against the urban area
of Kobe, Japan. Disregarding attacks from enemy
fighters and an intense barrage of heavy anti-aircraft
fire in the vicinity of the target, this crew held
to their briefed course to the target and dropped
their bombs on the city with devastating results.
On the bombing run one engine of their plane was
so badly damage by flak that it was necessary to
feather the propeller; and on withdrawal even more
heavy flak was encountered. The return flight to
their base was completed safely because of the superior
skill and airmanshiip of the crew in nursing a crippled
aircraft through a 1500-mile flight over enemy territory
and hostile waters. The courage and determination
to bomb the target and the outstanding ability displayed
by these veterans of repeated assaults against the
Japanese homeland, reflect great credit upon themselves
and the Army Air Forces.
Captain
JOSEPH J. SEMANEK, Air Corps, United States Army,
as Airplane Commander.
First
Lieutenant GEORGE H. BARNES, Air Corps, United States
Army, as Navigator.
First
Lieutenant WILLIAM G. ROBINSON, (Then Second Lieutenant)
Air Corps, United
States Army, as Radar
Observer.
First
Lieutenant ROBERT W. WINN, Air Corps, United States
Army, as Pilot.
Flight
Officer DURWOOD D. BROMBRAUGH (then
Master Sergeant), Air Corps, United States
Army, as Engineer.
First
Lieutenant WILLIAM G. ROBINSON, (Then Second Lieutenant)
Air Corps, United
States Army, as Radar
Observer.
Sergeant
CHARLES H. SMITH, Air Corps, United States Army,
as Radio Operator.
Staff
Sergeant HENRY F. KUEBELBECK (then
Sergeant), Air Corps, United States Army,
as Tail Gunner.
Sergeant
STANISLAUS A. KAMENSKI, Air Corps, United States
Army, as Blister Gunner.
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