Page 46 - DFCS NEWS MAGAZINE 2018-2

David E. Steiner
The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major David E. Steiner for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an EC-47 Navigator in Southeast Asia on 18 June 1973. On that
date, Major Steiner flew an extremely hazardous
mission through adverse weather conditions and under the constant threat of hostile ground fire and attack. In spite of this, he superbly accomplished this highly
intricate and hazardous mission in support of friendly ground forces. Through his personal bravery and energetic application of knowledge and skill, he significantly furthered the goal of the United States Air Force in Southeast Asia. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Major Steiner reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
George M. Miller
The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Technical Sergeant George M. Miller for heroism while participating in aerial flight as flight engineer and gunner on February 25th, 1945. On that date, Technical Sergeant Miller flew bombing raids from ordinance depot in Linz, Austria. The B-24 had just dropped its load of bombs on the target, when the B-24 was hit by anti-aircraft fire. One fragment of the anti-craft shell had hit the center fuel pump in the center wing tank, which damaged the pump and caused fuel to spray out from the pump. Tech. Sgt. Miller immediately shut off all the fuel tanks except the center wing fuel tank, so the pilot could
use up the center tank first. The pilot, Lt. Heyman, left the bomb bay doors open so the fumes from the fuel would not overcome the inside of the plane. Then Tech. Sgt. Miller proceeded to pump out the fuel from the center tank into the engine fuel tanks as quickly as possible. Tech. Sgt. Miller then proceeded to the catwalk under the center tank in the bomb bay, found the damaged pump and used his hand to stop the fuel spraying inside the plane as long as he could. The temperature inside the bomb bay was minus 60 degrees. The fuel ran down Tech. Sgt. Miller’s arms and soaked his clothing and filled his boots. Tech. Sgt. Miller remained at the leak as long as he could, until he could not withstand the freezing fuel on his skin and clothing. He returned to the cockpit where his fellow flight members were waiting to use their heated suits and body temperature to warm Tech. Sgt. Miller back to normal body temperature. Co-Pilot Lt. James Doherty had inserted Tech. Sgt. Miller’s feet into his flight
jacket next to his skin to warm his feet, which definitely prevented Tech. Sgt. Miller from obtaining frost bite on his feet and ankles. When the center tank was empty, Tech. Sgt. Miller isolated the damaged pump and tank and closing valves and then Lt. Heyman closed the bomb bay doors. Tech. Sgt. Miller’s quick thinking and bravery enable the entire crew and plane to return safely to the airbase. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Tech. Sgt. Miller reflect great credit upon himself and the US Army Air Force.
WINTER 2018 / DFCS News Magazine / 47