William M. Kerr

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to William M. Kerr (0-662136), First Lieutenant (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 397th Fighter Squadron, 368th Fighter Group, NINTH Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces on 17 December 1944, in the European Theater of Operations. On this date First Lieutenant Kerr shot down FOUR enemy aircraft in a single engagement. First Lieutenant Kerr’s unquestionable valor in aerial combat is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 9th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.