During Operation Tidal Wave, the most highly decorated military mission in U.S. history, 179 B-24s took off on an 18-hour, 2,400 mile round trip mission to destroy the largest of the Nazi-held oil refineries at Ploesti, Romania. Despite his aircraft in flames, Maj. John L. Jerstad completed the mission and was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. (U.S. Air Force illustration)