FIRST LIEUTENANT BERDINES LACKNESS, 405th Bombardment Squadron (M), 38th Bombardment Group (M), Air Corps, United States Army. For extraordinary heroism in action near Wewak, New Guinea, on 17 August 1943. Lieutenant Lackness was pilot of one of a formation of medium bombers, which, with fighter escort, had a mission to destroy a concentration of enemy aircraft at Dagua Airdrome. Before the objective was reached, all bombers of the formation except Lieutenant Lackness’ and two others were forced to turn back because of mechanical difficulty. The fighters then departed to escort another formation. Electing to continue despite reduced numbers and lack of protection, Lieutenant Lackness joined the other two bombers and proceeded to the target. In the face of intense anti-aircraft and machine gun fire, he made a devastating bombing and strafing attack from minimum altitude, contributing to the destruction of seventeen grounded enemy planes and the damaging of twenty more. Ten to fifteen enemy fighters then intercepted this flight of three, which, in a running fight of thirty-seven minutes, shot down two and damaged three of the hostile planes. In voluntarily persisting in this attack despite dangerous odds, Lieutenant Lackness showed high courage and made a substantial contribution to the success of the mission.

Mr. Lackness, a life member, joined the Legion of Valor in 1991 and resided in Texas.