Assigned to 751BS, 457BG, 8AF USAAF. Squadron commander, 751BS, 457BG, 8AF USAAF. ETD



On the Le Bourget mission 14-Jun-44, flying as deputy lead, A/C attacked and hit by fighters, setting alight the cockpit (assembly flares and oxygen tank) causing the area to be abandoned, pilot then baled out, Ray Syptak regained control of A/C once the engineer (Paul Birchen) had extinguished the fire and flew back to base at low level, earning his Silver Star for this action.



Awards: DFC, SS, AM (3OLC), BS, PH, Croix de Guerre, WWII Victory, EAME.



Silver Star citation: - "For gallantry in action against the enemy while leading a group of B- 17 Flying Fortresses on a bombardment mission over enemy occupied territory. Just prior to reaching the target, enemy fighters made a savage attack on his aircraft, knocking out one engine, damaging a second engine and completely destroying a large number of instruments. Expertly utilizing the power of the remaining engines, Major Syptak, determined to complete the mission, maneuvered back into the lead position and continued on the bombing run.



Over the target area, a direct flak hit destroyed the rudder control cables, punctured the oxygen supply tanks and started a raging fire inside the plane. Major Syptak ordered the crew to bail out. Unable to open the escape hatch in the nose compartment, Major Syptak, weak from lack of oxygen, struggled back to the cockpit and brought the stricken plane under control, while the engineer succeeded in extinguishing the flames. When the engineer's clothes caught fire, Major Syptak put out the flames with his bare hands. During the return journey a second engine went out entirely, but despite this added handicap, he piloted the aircraft back to England and made a safe landing. The gallantry, indomitable fighting spirit and superior flying skill displayed by Major Syptak, undoubtedly saved the lives of the crewmen trapped in the burning aircraft."