James A. Harrison

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to James A. Harrison, Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Tail Gunner of a B-17 Heavy Bomber in the 91st Bombardment Group (H), EIGHTH Air Force, while participating in a bombing mission on 1 May 1943, against enemy targets at St. Nazaire, France. En route to target the lead group got off-course and turned north before they should have. As a consequence, the two lead groups flew directly across the strongly defended area at Brest. Three of four of their aircraft were lost here. The leader of the 91st Group saw the error in time to make a sharp left turn. This carried our aircraft away from the danger zone before any additional casualties were suffered. However, the turn was so sharp that the Group formation became separated and returned to England in three separate flights. The aircraft of Lieutenant James Baird, flying in the tail-end position, became completely separated from the formation as a result of this maneuver. Seven FW-190s saw Lieutenant Baird’s lone aircraft flying toward England, and determined then and there to destroy it. The continued their attacks for approximately 20 minutes. Lieutenant Baird descended to a minimum safe altitude and by good management and still better luck succeeded in getting back to England safely. Four members of his crew were wounded, but they succeeded in destroying three enemy aircraft. Sergeant James A. Harrison manned his guns bravely throughout in defense of his aircraft. His personal courage and devotion to duty on this occasion have upheld the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 8th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.