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On 4 March, 1944 our Group was going into Southwest Germany. In my flight I was flying number 4 position and Lt Valenta number 2 position. At about 1435 hours we entered a large cloud that looked like a wall. We were just reaching the Holland coast at the time and had to go on instruments due to the clouds. We entered the clouds at about 19,500 feet altitude. Almost immediately I saw number 2, Lt Valenta, nose down in a dive which appeared to be at about 30 in relation to the other members of the flight. Then I had to give my attention to flying on number 3 and thus could not observe Lt Valenta any further. It is estimated that the top of the cloud was at 23,500 feet altitude. The weather was bad but visibility was good enough for all members of the flight to see one another. I would estimate that it was about 14,23 hours when Lt Valenta went down and over a point about 20 miles North of the Hague, Holland.
Mrs. Louise E. Valenta of Sweet Home, Tex., was presented with the Silver Star, the Distinguished Flying Cross and an Oak Leaf Cluster to the D.F.C. by Lt. Col. Donald R. Conard in an impressive ceremony held at Foster Field Thursday.
Mrs. Valenta accepted the awards on behalf of her son. Lt. Ervin E. Valenta, who is missing in action over Europe. In addition to the awards presented yesterday he holds the Air Medal and three Oak Leaf Clusters carned in previous combat.