William J. Sloan

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Air Force Cross to William J. Sloan, Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps), U.S. Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in military operations against an armed enemy of the United States as Pilot of a P-38 aircraft in the 96th Fighter Squadron, 82d Fighter Group, 12th Air Force, in the North African Theater of Operations on 5 July 1943. On that date, Colonel Sloan led a flight of fighter aircraft escorting thirty-six B-25 bombers in an attack on Gerbini Airdrome. The formation encountered intense antiaircraft fire in the target area and was attacked by ten enemy fighters. Colonel Sloan shot down two of the enemy fighters and was conspicuous in driving the remaining hostile fighters away from the bombers, all of which returned safely. Through his extraordinary heroism, superb airmanship, and aggressiveness in the face of the enemy, Colonel Sloan reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.