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Distinguished Flying Cross To Be Given Mother of-Sgt. William Hotard, Missing1 Isle Airman, by Head ol Air Base HereStaff Sgt. William L. Hotard. who is missing in action, has been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, which will be presented during appropriate ceremonies to his mother. Mrs. Louise Ft. Hotard. 2818 P. by Maj. Henry C. Coles, commanding officer of the United States army air base here, it was learned today. •The award is being made the Galveston airman for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating jn an air flight near Shortiand harbor. Solomon Islands, on Sept. 24. 1942.In an announcement received here of the award of the fnedal to the Galvestonian by Maj. Coles from the war department, It was explained that it is Mrs. Hotard’s wish that the award be presented by Maj. Coles In his capacity as senior air force officer here.The presentation ceremonies and the time of the presentation will be announced later.The citation, made by direction of the president under the provision of an act of congress approved July 2, 1926, reads:“A Distinguished Flying Cross is awarded by the commanding general of the United States army forces in the South Pacific area to the following enlisted man, now:missing^dTr^cttonr^Stgtr7SgU'rWTF: era!;' gyrattH slaff corps, chief of 'liam L. Hotalrd, for heroism andextraordinary achievement while participating in an air flight near Shortiand harbor, Solomon Islands Sept. 24, 1942.Staff Sgt. Hotard, as one of the c-rcw of a heavy bombing airplane, participated in a hazardous mission to bomb Japanese surface, vessels.^'Contact was made with the enemy force and individual bombing runs were immediately undertaken on two cargo vessels, one of which was hit by a bomb from plane and took on a decided list. Another cargo vessel was probably damaged by several near misses.At this time 20 Japanese fighters pressed closely to the attack from both beam and front quarters. Two of these were shot down in flames and another probably damaged. «In spite of the attacking fighters the plane and crew carried out their bombing ruit Their planewas heavily hit and when last seen was descending to the water, smoking and disabled with enemy fighters pursuing it to*the surface.“All of tne crew distinguishedthemselves by their heroism and extra achievement throughout thisengagement with the enemy. By command of Maj. Gen. Harmon;Bar nett -brigadier gen-staff.
Newspaper Details
Galveston Tribune
Galveston, Texas, US
Mon, Apr 05, 1943
Page 1
Full Page
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Texas A.
TX, USA 13 Jul 2022
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