Paul B. Gambonini’s Distinguished Service Cross citation

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Paul B. Gambonini, Second Lieutenant (Air Corps), U.S. Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-40 Fighter Airplane in the 17th Pursuit Squadron, 24th Pursuit Group, FAR EAST Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces on 7 February 1942, during an air mission over Den Pasar Airport, Bali, Netherlands East Indies. When information of the approach of hostile airplanes was received soon after this flight had landed and while the planes were being serviced, the flight leader ordered those planes which had been refilled with gasoline to patrol over the airfield. When the seven planes in the air were attacked by more than three times their number of enemy fighters, Lieutenant Gambonini immediately took off and joined his comrades, although his plane had been only partly refilled. Seeing a fellow pilot in difficulty, he went to his assistance, driving off the attacking enemy plane. He continued the fight until his gasoline supply was exhausted, after which he landed his plane safely. The personal courage and devotion to duty displayed by Second Lieutenant Gambonini on this occasion have upheld the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the Far East Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.