As a brigadier general in the United States Army Air Forces during World War II, he was the inspiration for the main character in the novel and subsequent film, Twelve O'Clock High.

From November 1940 to February 1941, Armstrong was a combat observer with the Royal Air Force in England, then returned to command the 90th Bombardment Squadron, Savannah AAF, Georgia, promoted to major on March 15 and lieutenant colonel on January 5, 1942.

Armstrong led the first daylight heavy bomber raid made by the USAAF over Occupied Europe, receiving the Silver Star and an oak leaf cluster to the Distinguished Flying Cross.

He always entered the B-17 by its rear fuselage door rather than through the nose hatch as most pilots did, and he always carried a pair of his son's baby shoes on all flights, for good luck in combat.

During his final combat mission in the European Theater of Operations on April 5, 1943, 104 B-17s and B-24s attacked the Erla Works, used by the Luftwaffe for manufacturing and reconditioning Messerschmitt Bf 109 fighters, near the Antwerp suburb of Mortsel.

It was Belgium's worst loss of life in a single incident during the entire war.Armstrong returned to the United States where he commanded the 46th Bombardment Operational Training Wing (B-17) at Ardmore Army Airfield, Oklahoma (September 10, 1943, to April 6, 1944); and the 17th Bombardment Operational Training Wing (B-29) at Peterson Field, Colorado, and Grand Island Army Airfield, Nebraska (April 7, 1944, to November 7, 1944).

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Brigadier General Frank Alton Armstrong, Jr. (ASN: 0-17459/427A), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Commander, 97th Bombardment Group (H), TWELFTH Air Force, while personally leading his B-17 Bomber Group in a bombing mission on Antwerp, on 5 April 1943.

With great courage and personal disregard for his own safety General Armstrong relinquished his own emergency oxygen bottle to the co-pilot, divested himself of his parachute, and extinguished the flames.

The audacity and courage under fire, and the coolness and skill thus displayed by this officer on this occasion, reflect the highest credit upon him and upon the armed forces of the United States.

The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Armstrong and his dedicated contributions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.

Hq SAC OMAH NEBR—Major General Frank A Armstrong Jr USAF was awarded an oak leaf cluster to the Distinguished Service Medal Tuesday at Strategic Air Command Headquarters Offutt Air Force Base Nebraska by SAC commander in chief General Curtis E Lemay for outstanding service in a position of exceedingly great responsibility.

This was the first daylight heavy bombardment mission against enemy opposition to be flown by the United States Army Air Force in the European Theater of operations.

The successful accomplishment of this mission without loss of life or plane reflects the highest degree of credit upon Colonel Armstrong and his military service.

Oak leaf cluster to Distinguished Flying Cross October 1942 For extraordinary heroism and Superior leadership in action over enemy occupied territory in Continental Europe during the period of August 17, 1942 to September 6, 1942.

Colonel Armstrong by the specific act of personally leading his group in the air on repeated missions during the above period of his own volition by his courage and coolness under fire by his display of superb tactical skill in controlling his formation so that heavy losses were avoided in spite of concentrated attacks by enemy fighters and by his resourcefulness and flying leadership in the face of great danger and overwhelming odds upheld the highest traditions of the armed forces of the United States and was largely responsible for the success of six missions of vital importance Second Oak leaf cluster to the Distinguished Flying Cross April 1943 For extraordinary achievement.

With untiring effort General Armstrong reorganized a Heavy Bombardment group preparing his crews and equipment in record time and pioneered in high altitude daylight precision bombing of targets deep in enemy territory.

Displaying great courage skill and superlative leadership he personally led his group on five separate bomb missions against some of the most strongly fortified objectives in Europe with the loss of only one airplane.

The courage leadership and devotion to duty displayed by general Armstrong on all his missions have been a lasting inspiration to his men and reflect highest credit upon himself and the armed forces of the United States.