Description: I only have one of these! I wrote to Mr. Billo many years ago and was lucky to get this back from him. He added all of his specifics from WW2. USA winner please add $5.99 P&H with tracking. International will use Ebay Global upon checkout. Thanks! Distinguished Flying Cross specifics: The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Commander James Donald Billo United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as leader of a division of fighter pilots of Fighting Squadron EIGHTEEN (VF-18), embarked in U.S.S. BUNKER HILL (CV-17), in a strike at shipping in Rabaul Harbor, New Britain, on the morning of 11 November 1943, and in thwarting an attack on ships of Task Force 50.3 by a large force of enemy aircraft during the afternoon of the same day. Lieutenant Commander Billo led his division in escort of a group of dive bombers in their attack on shipping in Rabaul Harbor, In utter disregard of heavy anti-aircraft fire from ships and shore and despite repeated and determined attacks by superior numbers of enemy fighter planes, he maintained effective escort of the bombers through their attack and retirements. By engaging enemy fighters pressing attacks as the bombers retired, he diverted their attempt at attacks on escorted planes. In doing so, he personally shot down two enemy fighters causing one to explode in flames and the pilot of another to bail out, and by weaving with other pilots of his division aided in the destruction of others. In the afternoon of the same day, when rendezvous for a second attack on Rabaul was interrupted by an attack on the ships of this Task Force by enemy aircraft, he thwarted an attack by enemy dive bombers by positioning his division between the ships and bombers, causing them to jettison their bombs short of their dropping point. His leadership and exemplary courage, his superior airmanship, and his unswerving devotion to duty in the execution of his assigned mission are models of professional conduct and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Price: 39.99 USD
Location: Winooski, Vermont
End Time: 2025-01-22T03:21:02.000Z
Shipping Cost: 5.99 USD
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Item Specifics
Restocking Fee: No
Return shipping will be paid by: Seller
All returns accepted: Returns Accepted
Item must be returned within: 30 Days
Refund will be given as: Money Back
Industry: Military
Signed by: Jim Billo
Signed: Yes
Country/Region of Manufacture: United States
