Assigned to 93TCS, 439TCG, 9AF USAAF. Failed to Return (FTR) D-day mission to Normandy, hit by flak and set on fire, pilot 2nd Lt Marvin F Muir held his burning aircraft under control until the paratroopers aboard could exit, sacrificing himself and his crew. Crashed St Mere Eglise. Killed in Action (KIA). 6-Jun-44. MACR 7289. Posthumously awarded DSC for his actions.



Awards: DSC, PH.



DSC Citation:



"The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Second Lieutenant (Air Corps) Marvin F. Muir (ASN: 0-541641), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Lead Pilot in a wing element of C-47 type Troop Carrier Aircraft in the 93d Troop Carrier Squadron, 439th Troop Carrier Group, NINTH Air Force, while participating in a paradrop mission behind enemy lines, immediately prior to the land invasion of the Continent of Europe, 6 June 1944. After his ship was mortally hit by enemy ground fire it burst into flames while at an altitude of only 750 feet and two and one-half minutes from the drop zone. Although forced to leave formation, he courageously suck to his post and battled the controls in order that he might effectively accomplish his mission and properly accomplish the evacuation of his paratroopers in the assigned dropping zone. After the evacuation of the paratroopers, he continued in an attempt to crash land the flaming aircraft in order by chance to save his crew members trapped inside. The devotion to duty, heroism, and service above self displayed by Lieutenant Muir on this occasion reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States."