The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Louis J. Roesch, United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as navigator of a B-25 type aircraft. On 30 August 1944, Lieutenant Roesch flew as lead navigator of a thirtyÑeight plane formation in an attack upon an airdrome at Villafranca di Verona, Italy. Displaying superior professional skill and determination, Lieutenant Roesch guided his pilot on a long flight over water directly to the initial point. Then aiding his bombardier in setting course for a perfect bomb run in the face of intense antiÑaircraft fire, Lieutenant Roesch enabled the bombers to cover the target area with a devastating bomb pattern, destroying or damaging many dispersed aircraft and their vital military installations. On more than sixty combat missions, his outstanding proficiency and steadfast devotion to duty have reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.