"Too Hot For Me"

This is original painting is when the Ploestioil fields of Rumania hewed too many of young American men and added to theever growing list of Gold Star mothers. A B24 Liberator over Ploesti oil airraid.

Original Paintingsigned by Brigadier General Keith Compton in 2002

Original Painting19.5" X 35" $2,500.00 unframed

The President of the United States of America, authorized byAct of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the DistinguishedService Cross to Colonel (Air Corps) Keith Karl Compton, United States Army AirForces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operationsagainst an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a B-24 Heavy Bomber in the564th Bombardment Squadron, 389th Bombardment Group (H), NINTH Air Force(Attached), while participating in a bombing mission on 1 August 1943, againstthe Ploesti Oil Refineries in Rumania. Colonel Compton flew the lead airplaneof the entire force of American heavy bombardment aircraft that attacked Ploestion 1 August, 1943. In this operation, one of the longest mass bombing flightsand one of the most daring low-level attacks in aviation history, ColonelCompton coolly and courageously maneuvered his force at tree-top level and inthe face of blazing anti-aircraft fire and balloon barrages to a position fromwhich it could bomb the target successfully. Colonel Compton's action in thisperilous situation was one of utmost heroism and superb airmanship. Hispersonal courage and zealous devotion to duty have upheld the highesttraditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the9th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.