The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Earl L. Hageman, Jr. (ASN: 0-417618), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with the 30th Bombardment Squadron, 19th Bombardment Group (H), FIFTH Air Force, on 5 October 1942. While flying as Pilot of a B-17 aircraft during a bombing raid at Rabaul, New Britain, Lieutenant Hageman’s aircraft was severely damaged when the formation was attacked by a large force of enemy fighters. In order to provide protection to the crippled bomber, the flight leader reduced speed and thus exposed the formation to the destructive efforts of the enemy. Realizing that he was endangering the rest of the formation, Lieutenant Hageman deliberately maneuvered his aircraft away from the others in an attempt to draw the fire of the enemy. The sincere devotion to duty and the heroic sacrifice displayed by Lieutenant Hageman reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.