Norman L. Paxton dating history

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Lieutenant Paxton skillfully located a large enemy freighter-transport, protected by two escorts, at anchor in a small harbor, and attacked in bright moonlight although he knew the enemy force had been alerted and was in an advantageous tactical position to defend itself. Gliding to a low altitude in the face of an intense barrage of anti-aircraft fire which severely damaged his aircraft, he scored two direct hits and two near misses on the merchant vessel, resulting in its destruction, and then safely brought his plane back to base despite its damaged condition.