ROBERTS Jr. Eugene Paul "Gene"

 

Distinguished Service Cross
Silver Star
Distinguished Flying Cross (3 oak leaf cluster)
Distinguished Flying Cross (British)
Air Medal (5 oak leaf cluster)
Croix de Guerre Française avec Palme
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal
World War II Victory Medal

 

 

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Eugene P. Roberts (0-403830), Major (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-47 Fighter Airplane in the 84th Fighter Squadron, 78th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces on 30 July 1943, in the European Theater of Operations. On this date Major Roberts shot down two FW-190s and one BF-109 to become the first American in the European theatre to score a "triple" victory in a single outing. Major Roberts' unquestionable valor in aerial combat is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 8th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.

Headquarters: European Theater of Operations, U.S. Army, General Orders No. 73 (1943)
Born: September 12, 1917 at Wallace, Idaho
Home Town: Spokane, Washington