Edward D. Durand
First Lieutenant, U.S. Army Air Forces

On 30 April 1942, then-Second Lieutenant Edward D. Durand was serving as Pilot of a P-39 Airacobra fighter with the 35th Pursuit Squadron, 8th Pursuit Group, Far East Air Force in the South West Pacific Area.

On that day, 2LT Durand’s unit was in aerial combat against Japanese forces during an air mission over Lae, New Guinea. 2LT Durand’s courageous actions and valor in aerial combat that day earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

On 5 December 1945 went Missing in Action.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Purple Heart
American Defense Service Medal
American Campaign Medal
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
World War II Victory Medal
Army Air Force Pilot Badge

Distinguished Service Cross Citation (Synopsis)

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Edward D. Durand (0-417205), Second Lieutenant (Air Corps), U.S. Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-39 Fighter Airplane in the 35th Pursuit Squadron, 8th Pursuit Group, FAR EAST Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces on 30 April 1942, during an air mission over Lae, New Guinea. Second Lieutenant Durand's unquestionable valor in aerial combat is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the Far East Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.

Headquarters: South West Pacific Area, General Orders No. 29 (1943)

Memorialization

The remains of First Lieutenant Edward D. Durand have never been recovered. He is memorialized with his name inscribed on the Walls of the Missing at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial in Manila, Metro Manila, National Capital Region, Philippines.

https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=56782141