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 First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Leo Carlos Fletcher (ASN: 0-683985), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a B-24 Heavy Bomber in the 757th Bombardment Squadron, 459th Bombardment Group (H), FIFTEENTH Air Force, while participating in a bombing mission on 13 June 1944, against enemy targets in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations. On this date, First Lieutenant Fletcher was participating in a highly important bombing mission over Munich, Germany. Immediately after crossing a high mountain range, one engine of Lieutenant Fletcher’s aircraft became inoperative, thus subjecting his aircraft to a serious loss of power. Despite this handicap, he elected to remain with the formation and continued on to the target. The aircraft sustained many hits from aggressive attacks of enemy fighter aircraft and unusually intense anti-aircraft fire. Lieutenant Fletcher displayed unusual ability in successfully employing evasive action while completing his bombing run. Immediately after bombing the target, another engine became inoperative causing him to lose speed and become separated from the formation. The malfunctions of this engine was corrected but his aircraft was far to the rear of the formation which rendered them more vulnerable to enemy action. The sustained hits of the unusually vicious attacks of enemy fighter aircraft and accurate enemy aircraft fire and the rapidly diminishing fuel supply necessitated landing shortly. An attempt to land on the beach was met with anti-aircraft fire which forced him to fly out to sea. Because of the injuries inflicted on some of the members of the crew, Lieutenant Fletcher decided to crash land in the sea. Although momentarily stunned and injured by the force of the landing, Lieutenant Fletcher escaped from the rapidly sinking aircraft only to find that the co-pilot and navigator were still imprisoned. Fully cognizant of the immediate danger of the aircraft sinking and burdened by his cumbersome flying clothes, Lieutenant Fletcher, unhesitantly, returned to the bottom of the submerged flight deck and succeeded in rescuing these two officers. Lieutenant Fletcher directed first aid and was responsible for the bringing together of the scattered members of the crew into one raft. Upon nearing shore enemy troops opened fire on the raft with light cannon. With characteristic coolness Lieutenant Fletcher swung the raft around and headed again for open sea. During the six hours in the raft Lieutenant Fletcher made no mention of his own wounds and assumed full responsibility for the care and treatment of the others. Lieutenant Fletcher’s heroism, gallantry and valor were exemplary and reflect great credit upon himself, the 15th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.