Edward Ireland, a former Army Air Forces pilot, last week took hold, for the first time, of the Distinguished Flying Cross that he won for his heroic service in the skies over Europe during World War II. Fox News 4 of Kansas City reported at its Web site Dec. 6 that Ireland was formally presented with the DFC during a ceremony that same day at Whiteman AFB, Mo. “We had a really close-knit group and had experienced a lot of things together,” said Ireland. “And to the crew, I feel like I have done my thing. I did it for them,” he said. According to the news report, Ireland flew 30 missions during the war and was the only man in his squadron to survive the conflict. Although he was recognized with the DFC after the war, he never actually received it prior to now.
The Space Development Agency says it’s on track to issue its next batch of missile warning and tracking satellite contracts this month after those awards were delayed by the Pentagon’s decision to divert funds from the agency to pay troops during this fall’s prolonged government shutdown.
