George Scratchley Brown

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to George Scratchley Brown, Major (Air Corps), U.S. Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Squadron Leader and Pilot of a B-24 Heavy Bomber in Headquarters, 93d Bombardment Group (H), NINTH Air Force (Attached), while participating in a bombing mission on 1 August 1943, against the Ploesti Oil Refineries in Rumania. During a long and hazardous attack against a vital enemy oil installation made at low-altitude by a formation of B-24 type aircraft, Major Brown led his Squadron through heavy enemy fire against impossible odds, and then brought his crew safely back to base without the loss of a single man. The personal courage and devotion to duty displayed by Major Brown on this occasion, even when confronted with practically certain destruction, exemplified the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 9th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.