Robert W. Fegan

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Robert W. Fegan, Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Waist Gunner of a B-17 Heavy Bomber in the 524th Bombardment Squadron, 379th Bombardment Group (H), 8th Air Force, while participating in a bombing mission on 12 August 1943, against enemy ground targets in the European Theater of Operations. During a bombing mission over Gelsenkirchen, Germany, although wounded by enemy fire, Staff Sergeant Fegan remained faithfully at this guns to defend his airplane. The personal courage and devotion to duty displayed by Staff Sergeant Fegan 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.