William R . Lawley , Jr . William Robert " Bill " Lawley , Jr . ( August 23 , 1920 – May 29 , 1999 ) was a United States Army Air Forces officer and a recipient of the United States military ' s highest decoration — the Medal of Honor — for his actions in World War II . Biography . Lawley joined the Army Air Forces from Birmingham , Alabama in April 1942 , and by February 20 , 1944 was a first lieutenant serving as a pilot in the 364th Bomb Squadron , 305th Bomb Group . On that day , during a bombing mission over Nazi - controlled Europe , his B - 17 Flying Fortress came under attack by enemy fighter aircraft . With his plane severely damaged and on fire , he ordered his crew to parachute to safety . Finding that two crewmen were too badly injured to bail out , Lawley chose to remain in the aircraft and , despite his own serious wounds , attempt to pilot it into friendly territory . Although weakened from loss of blood and shock , he was able to make a successful crash landing in England . Lawley recovered from his wounds and , on August 8 , 1944 , was awarded the Medal of Honor . Lawley reached the rank of colonel before leaving the Air Force in 1972 . He died at age 78 and was buried in Greenwood Cemetery , Montgomery , Alabama . Medal of Honor citation . Lawley ' s official Medal of Honor citation reads : For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action above and beyond the call of duty , 20 February 1944 , while serving as pilot of a B - 17 aircraft on a heavy bombardment mission over enemy - occupied continental Europe . Coming off the target he was attacked by approximately 20 enemy fighters , shot out of formation , and his plane severely crippled . Eight crewmembers were wounded , the copilot was killed by a 20 - mm . shell . One engine was on fire , the controls shot away , and 1st Lt . Lawley seriously and painfully wounded about the face . Forcing the copilot ' s body off the controls , he brought the plane out of a steep dive , flying with his left hand only . Blood covered the instruments and windshield and visibility was impossible . With a full bomb load the plane was difficult to maneuver and bombs could not be released because the racks were frozen . After the order to bail out had been given , 1 of the waist gunners informed the pilot that 2 crewmembers were so severely wounded that it would be impossible for them to bail out . With the fire in the engine spreading , the danger of an explosion was imminent . Because of the helpless condition of his wounded crewmembers 1st Lt . Lawley elected to remain with the ship and bring them to safety if it was humanly possible , giving the other crewmembers the option of bailing out . Enemy fighters again attacked but by using masterful evasive action he managed to lose them . One engine again caught on fire and was extinguished by skillful flying . 1st Lt . Lawley remained at his post , refusing first aid until he collapsed from sheer exhaustion caused by loss of blood , shock , and the energy he had expended in keeping control of his plane . He was revived by the bombardier and again took over the controls . Coming over the English coast 1 engine ran out of gasoline and had to be feathered . Another engine started to burn and continued to do so until a successful crash landing was made on a small fighter base . Through his heroism and exceptional flying skill , 1st Lt . Lawley rendered outstanding distinguished and valorous service to our Nation .