James F. Gerrits

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to James F. Gerrits, Second Lieutenant (Air Corps), U.S. Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Co-Pilot of a B-24 Heavy Bomber in the 567th Bombardment Squadron, 389th 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, Second Lieutenant Gerrits flew through heavy enemy fire against impossible odds. When his pilot was killed, Lieutenant Gerrits remained calm at the controls, skillfully maneuvering for an emergency landing in Turkey. The personal courage and devotion to duty displayed by Second Lieutenant Gerrits 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.