DFC Narrative Statement

JOSEPH W. GEARY, JR., 0-722839, First Lieutenant, Air Corps, 721st Bombardment Squadron, 450th Bombardment Group(H), Army of the United States. For extraordinary achievement in aerial flight. On 7 October 1944, Lieutenant Geary was navigator-observer of a B-24 type aircraft that was flying lead ship in a Group formation on an extremely vital and important mission to bomb the enemy oil refinery at Vienna/Winterhafen, Austria. This high priority enemy target produced large quantities of aviation fuel and its destruction was of great importance. Enroute to the target the formation experienced an intense and extremely accurate barrage of heavy type flak which shot down five (5) of our aircraft and severely damaged twenty-seven (27) others. During this barrage Lieutenant Geary's ship was hit by numerous bursts of flak which made inoperative the #2 engine, severed hydraulic and fuel lines and partially severed the rudder control cables. The co-pilot was seriously wounded at the same time but the pilot, showing great skill, was able to lead the formation over the target, inflicting grave damage on the enemy installations. Then when the ship was forced to leave the formation and the navigator went to the flight deck to replace the wounded co-pilot, Lieutenant Geary took over the navigating duties. Showing superior professional skill, Lieutenant Geary then plotted the most direct course to an emergency field, successfully avoiding the numerous flak installations that covered the enemy territory. The aircraft finally reached a friendly field with only sixty (60) gallons of fuel left. Lieutenant Geary supervised the crew in preparing for a crash landing which was successfully done. To Lieutenant Geary's exceptional skill and coolness in a hazardous situation must be given the credit for the safe return of the crew and the wounded co-pilot. By his extreme skill and devotion to duty, Lieutenant Geary has reflected great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

Number of Combat Sorties: 33

Number of Operational Combat Hours: 218:15