Senior Master Sergeant CLAYTON C. BURDUE, was granted the Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism in action with the enemy on 5 January 1944. On this date, Sergeant Burdue was serving as Tail Gunner in a B-17 airplane on a bombardment mission against strongly defended military objectives at Elberfeld, Germany. As the airplane passed over the target, it was attacked by large numbers of particularly aggressive enemy fighters. Sergeant Burdue was hit by a 20 mm. cannon shell which passed completely through his right thigh, severing a large vein and causing much bleeding and great pain. Although Sergeant Burdue knew that he might bleed to death unless aid was received, he chose to remain at his post trying to stop the flow of blood with his right hand while operatinig the gun with his left hand. Suffering intense pain, for more that an hour he remained at his post, during which time he destroyed one enemy fighter and forced many others to break off their attacks. Not until the coast of England was sighted and it was apparent that no further attacks could be expected, did Sergeant Burdue ask for aid. The courage and determination of Sergeant Burdue on this occasion serves as an inspiration to all those in the Armed Forces of the United States.

Sergeant Burdue joined the Legion of Valor in 1963 and resided in Illinois.