Roy H. Worthington Jr.

Foil: 6 Panel: Distinguished Flying Cross Society Column: 3 Line: 21

Wall of Honor Level:
Air and Space Friend

Honored by:
Roy Worthington

Captain Roy H. Worthington, Jr. was a pilot of a B-17 aircraft, 99th Bombardment Group (H) flying out of Foggia, Italy. On July 31, 1944, Capt. Worthington was participating in an attack of the Xenia Oil Refinery in Ploesti, Rumania. Nearing the target area, his aircraft encountered heavy, intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire, and on the bomb run, five seconds before bombs away, four burst of flak exploded directly beneath his aircraft, causing violent vibrations, knocking out the oxygen system from the radio room to the tail, cutting fuel lines to number one engine, and damaging his radio transmitters and receivers. Notwithstanding this opposition, Capt. Worthington skillfully held his bomber in formation to complete a successful bombing run, inflicting severe damage upon enemy installations. Capt. Worthington was able to bring his aircraft and crew safely back to base, whereupon it was determined that all but one of the aircraft's feul tanks had been pierced by flak and both wings had to be replaced. By his extraordinary achievement, outstanding professional skill, and superior qualities of leadership and courageous action, Capt. Worthington has reflected great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States of America.