James T. Sanford

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to James T. Sanford, Sergeant, U.S. Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Tail Gunner on a B-17 Heavy Bomber in Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, 5th Bombardment Group (H), THIRTEENTH Air Force, in action against enemy Japanese aerial forces during a Photo Reconnaissance Mission on 31 July 1942, over Wake Island. Sergeant Sanford was a member of the crew of a B-17 flown by Major Glober that flew 1,300 miles to Wake Island to perform a photo reconnaissance, despite the fact that two previous attempts had been tried and the crews never returned. Major Glober made three passes over the island, one at 2,000 ft., a second at 4,000 ft. and the last at 6,000 ft. On being attacked by six enemy fighter aircraft, Sergeant Sanford assisted in manning the guns and succeeded in beating off the attack, during which he displayed unusual determination and aggressiveness. The personal courage and devotion to duty displayed by Sergeant Sanford on this occasion have upheld the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 13th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.