U.S. Air Force photo
The commander of the bomber formation later reported that, "For sheer determination and guts, it was the greatest exhibition I've ever seen. It was a case of one lone American against what seemed to be the entire Luftwaffe. He was all over the wing, across and around it. They can't give that boy a big enough award."
Major
James H. Howard
On January 11, 1944, Howard single handedly attacked some 30 to 40 German fighters that were attacking a formation of B-17 bombers. For more than half an hour, he defended the bombers with his lone P-51B, repeatedly attacking the enemy fighters and shooting down as many as six. (He was credited with 3 kills).