Norred receives Distinguished Flying Cross

Sixty-six years after leading a dangerous, but successful, B-26 bombing mission over the skies of Sicily in 1943, the Air Force posthumously awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross with Valor to World War II Veteran Capt. William S. Norred of Pineapple.

Lt. Gen. Allen G. Peck, Commander of Air University, at Maxwell Air Force Base presented the award to Norred’s wife, Doris Norred, at a ceremony today in Greenville.

Norred was awarded the DFC with Valor for heroism while participating in aerial flight during WWII.

On June 15, 1943, while serving as both a flight leader and formation commander of a B-26 squadron, he was leading a mission over Rizzo Airdrome in Sicily when his plane was damaged by intense anti-aircraft fire.

Masterfully keeping his B-26 under control, Norred led his formation through evasive action and completed a devastating bombardment of his target. Shortly thereafter, 12 enemy fighters attached the unescorted bombers, but Norred skillfully outmaneuvered them and five of the hostile aircraft were destroyed.

Before Norred’s death at the age of 91 last year, the Butler County Veterans Service Office in Greenville contacted the Air Force with a request to review his service records to determine his eligibility for the DFC.

On Dec. 10, 2008, the Air Force honored Norred for his heroism in WWII by approving the award.

Photo courtesy of the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs.