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For Heroism On Bombing RunFlier Awarded Distinguished Flying CrossIIIOR heroism on a bombing mission in, which he was wounded, 1st Lt. James C. Alexander,23. son of Mr. and Mrs. Gus Alexander, 230 West Seventh St., has received his third and top-ranking decoration—the Distinguished Flying Cross.Last October, Lt. Alexander was awarded the Air medal for the same mission which occurred Aug.1 25. 1044. while he was on his 22nd combat trip as bombardier with the Eighth air force in England. He also has the Purple Heart.After Lt. Alexander arrived recently at the army air base at Frederick. Okla., he was decorated with the “DFC”, which had followed him around several air fields. His parents have received the cross.The accompanying citation revealed his heroism. It reads:“For heroism while serving as a bombardier of a B-17 on a bombing mission over Germany Aug. 25. 1944, Lt. Alexander has been awarded the Distinguished FlyingCross. j‘The formation in which Lt. Alexander was flying encountered accurate anti-aircraft fire on the bomb run. Several shells exploded almost directly upon the aircraft in which he was serving.)LT. J. C. ALEXANDER DFC' tops his decorationsOne of the engines was hit byflak and rendered inoperative andtwo other engines were damaged.“The oxygen system was severed and many of the controls were destroyed. Innumerable steeldiene at the start of the synthetic Succeeds Mary Edna Boydrubber program and only a littfe -1-—fragments tore through the nose of the airplane and Lt. Alexander suffered two wounds in his leg. Another piece of flak struck him in the arm and others shattered the plexiglass around him and sent splinters of giass into hisface, cutting his left eye.“Supporting himself against the side of the plane. Lt. Alexander tenaciously remained in his position despite the pain of his wounds until the target walt; reached. Hethen released the bombs on theassigned objective.“After bombs away, the aircraft was forced to drop out of formation and descended to a lower al* titude. Completely disregarding his ^ own wounds, Lt. Alexander ad*1ministered first aid to the navigator and crawled back to the waist where he assisted in extricating the ball-turret gunner frorr the turret.“The courage, coolness and skill displayed by this officer on this occasion reflect the highest, credit upon himself and the armed forces the I Qlted StatesLt. Alexander entered the army air forces in November, 1941, and was assigned to England in March,1914. \fter eight months of overseas duty he was returned to the State-. He has several Oak Leaf clusters to his Air medal.
Newspaper Details
East Liverpool Review
East Liverpool, Ohio, US
Fri, Sep 07, 1945
Page 3
Full Page
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Anonymous
USA 25 Feb 2019
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