Presidential Citation

The 500th Bombardment Group (VH) is cited for outstanding performance
of duty in armed conflict with the enemy. Notified to prepare maximum aircraft
for a mission against the highly important and heavily defended Mitsubishi
Aircraft Engine Plant, Nagoya, the ground crews worked steadily and untiringly
throughout the day and night to have their B-29s in perfect operating condition
for this important strike. At the time of the attack, this plant was estimated to
be producing from 30 to 40 per cent of all Japanese airplane engines.

On 23 January 1945, 17 Superfortresses of this group, heavily loaded with
high explosive bombs, took off on their hazardous 1,500-mile flight over enemy-
controlled open sea to the target. The crews manning the relatively untested
aircraft were in constant danger of mechanical failure and consequent ditching
many miles at sea, with no adequate rescue patrol as yet established. No
emergency base was available for battle-damaged or distressed airplanes any-
where along the 1,500 miles return to bases past numerous enemy island
garrisons of unknown strength.

The mission was flown at an altitude of 26,000 feet where severe frosting
was a constant threat to formation flying, and battle damage often resulted in
depressurization and consequent frostbite in temperatures averaging minus 55
degrees centigrade. Winds in excess of 200 miles per hour further complicated
the many difficulties of navigation over open sea. Inadequate maps and charts
for target recognition, and nonavailability of accurate weather forecasts in the
face of the most adverse and rapidly changing weather encountered in any
theater presented almost insurmountable difficulties to the pioneering crews. In
addition, no fighter escort was available at this early period.

As their formation approached the target area, it was engaged by 160
aggressive enemy fighters which made a total of 253 determined attacks on the
intrepid crews. At the same time, the formation was rocked by heavy and
accurate anti-aircraft fire. Despite the long and tiring flight to the target, the
heavy flak, and the fierce fighter opposition, the gallant crews continued grimly
and steadfastly on their assigned course and released their powerful load of high
explosives on the target with excellent results.

Although one B-29 was lost and 10 of the bombers seriously damaged, the
formation destroyed 15 enemy airplanes, probably destroyed 8, and seriously
damaged 6. The heroic determination and combat efficiency of the airplane
crews, together with the professional skill and intense devotion to duty of the
ground personnel of the 500th Bombardment Group (VH) reflected great credit
on themselves and the Army Air Forces.

(General Orders 106, Headquarters, Twentieth Air Force, 13 November
1945, confirmed by Section II, Par 5, WD Gen'l Order No. 3, dtd 7 January 1946.)