Arthur Edwin Banks

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Arthur Edwin Banks (0-687923), Second Lieutenant (Air Corps), U.S. Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Navigator of a B-24 Heavy Bomber in the 701st Bombardment Squadron, 445th Bombardment Group (H), EIGHTH Air Force, while participating in a bombing mission on 22 December 1943, over Bremen, Germany. Before reaching the target a cannon shell exploded in the nose compartment and severely wounded Lieutenant Banks. In spite of the painful nature of his wound Lieutenant Banks remained at his post plotting the course and obtaining bearings for the route back to base. The airplane had sustained serious damage during the enemy attacks and was forced out of formation, whereupon enemy fighters redoubled their efforts to destroy it. During these particularly vicious attacks Lieutenant Banks was mortally wounded. From the nature and extent of his wounds Lieutenant Banks must have realized that death was imminent, but with complete disregard for this fact and for the pain, he continued at his work and plotted an accurate course for the pilot to fly back to England. The courage, devotion to duty, and skill under extreme stress displayed by Lieutenant Banks upon this occasion reflect the highest credit upon himself, the 8th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.