James A. Goodson

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to James A. Goodson (0-885241), Major (Air Corps), U.S. Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-47 Fighter Airplane in the 336th Fighter Squadron, 4th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces on 16 March 1944, in the European Theater of Operations. On this date, Major Goodson was flying fighter escort for a bombing mission to Berlin. He caught up to the Flying Fortresses outside of Madgeburg, just as hordes of German fighters closed in. He dove after a gaggle of Bf-109s, which were focused on the bombers, picked out one target and flamed it. He pulled around to get into the battle, found three of his planes still with him, and almost immediately damaged another 109, forcing it to break off its attack on a Mustang. Again he led his flight back into the action, this time getting behind a lone B-17, always easy prey for the Germans. Goodson got into a turning contest with a 190, but the 190 crept up on him in the turn. In desperation, he dropped a flap, pulling out of the line of fire. The German dove away for the deck, Goody pursued and eventually caught up, but ran out of ammo after a couple short bursts. He broke off and headed for home having shot down two enemy aircraft. Major Goodson’s unquestionable valor in aerial combat is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 8th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.