HEROISM REWARDED
United States Pilot (Rec. 12.40 a.m.) LONDON, Dec. 17. First Lieutenant, Eowara Michael, a Flying-Fortress phot irom Arizona, has been awarded the Congressional Medal of Honour, Americas equivalent of the Victoria Cross for heroism on a bombing mission over Germany on Marcn 31, 1944. Although drenched with blood from wounds, Michael succoured a wounded gunner and brought the Fortress oack to its base. One hundred German fighters lor 45 minutes ripped the Fortress from nose to tail and set it on fire during an attack on an industrial target in Germany. A cannon-shell exploded in the cockpit, severely wounding Michael in the right thigh and temporarily blinding him, nevertheless the co-pilot pulled the bomber out of a dive. The top turret gunner appeared in the cockpit with blood gushing from wounds in the head. Disregarding his own bleeding leg, Michael assisted the gunner to the escape hatch where the gunner and seven other members of the crew baled out on Michael’s order. Michael decided to stay with the plane in an effort to save the bombardier’s life. With the co-pilot he zig-zagged at tree-top level across France and brought the bomber home.
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/THD19441218.2.74
Bibliographic details
Timaru Herald, Volume CLVI, Issue 23078, 18 December 1944, Page 6
Word Count
194HEROISM REWARDED Timaru Herald, Volume CLVI, Issue 23078, 18 December 1944, Page 6
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