Gordon M Prior

Gordon M Prior was born 23 May, 1922 in New York,

He entered the Service in Allegheny County, at Hornell, NY. as an Aviation Cadet on 21 Jan. 1942.  (12051768) # 0-794578 and was accepted into the elite Army Air Corps where he began his Flight Training.  Gordon had completed High School and 1 year of College, and was ideally suited for this. 

Gordon would become a Pilot in the B-25 Mitchell Medium Bombers in the 321st BG (448th BS) flying Combat "Skip-Bombing" Missions on German shipping in the Mediterranean on a "Detatched Service" out of Gambit, Lybia.  "Gambit Gambut"  for about 15 Missions....... and then the B-25 ships went to the 321st BG, and most of the men were transfered to the 310thBG (Gordon was assigned to the 381st BS)    The "Gambit Gambut" literally means "Gamble" at Gambit. . . skip-bombing had way-too many losses and was discontinued until that bombing method was developed far safer.

24 April, 1944, Lt Gordon was Flight Leader for a Combat Mission leading an 18 Ship Formation over the RR Bridge at Oreveto, Italy.  Displaying great courage and superior flying under intense pressure, he skillfully manuvered through the Flak to a successful Mission (While in the 310th Bomb Group)

"Distinguished Flying Cross" Heroism or Extraordinary Acheivement while Participating in Aerial Flight

The Distinguished Flying Cross was designed by Elizabeth Will and Arthur E. Dubois both working at the Army’s Institute of Heraldry. It is a bronze cross pattee, with rays between the arms of the cross. On the obverse is a propeller of four blades, with one blade in each arm of the cross and in the re-entrant angles of the cross are rays which form a square. The cross is suspended by a rectangular-shaped bar and centered on this is a plain shield. The reverse is blank and suitable for engraving the recipient’s name and rank.
*** The ribbon has a narrow red center stripe, flanked on either side by a thin white stripe, a wide stripe of dark blue, a narrow white stripe and narrow dark blue at the edge of the ribbon.
*** The cross symbolizes sacrifice, and the propeller symbolizes flight. The combination of those symbols makes clear that the DFC is an award for heroism or achievement for individuals involved in aviation. The ribbon reflects the national colors.
Subsequent awards of the Distinguished Flying Cross are indicated by oak-leaf clusters for Army and Air Force personnel. In World War I, aircraft proved their value for reconnaissance and as weapons platforms. Pilots of those primitive flying machines showed both courage and endurance in carrying out air missions. To recognize their gallantry, the Distinguished Flying Cross was created.
The prime mover behind the DFC was Sen. Hiram Bingham of Connecticut. An air power advocate and veteran World War I pilot, Bingham used his position as a member of the Aircraft Board, to which President Calvin Coolidge had appointed him, to propose that Congress create an aviation award “for heroism or outstanding achievement.”
Bingham’s colleagues established the Distinguished Flying Cross on July 2, 1926. By law, the new decoration could be awarded to anyone in the Air Corps of the Army, Navy or Marine Corps after April 6, 1917, who “distinguished himself by heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight.”  

Barbi Ennis Connolly, 321stBG Historian and friend of his son, Bob.

Additions ?  Corrections ? PRINCESSBARBI_B25@msn.com