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 Second Lieutenant (Air Corps) Robert F. McMahon (ASN: 0-427435), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-40 Fighter Airplane in the 33d Pursuit Squadron (Provisional), 8th Pursuit Group, FAR EAST Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces on 19 February 1942, during an air mission over Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia. Lieutenant McMahon was Pilot of one of a flight of ten pursuit airplanes forced by unfavorable weather to turn back from a ferry flight from Darwin to Koepang, Timor, Netherlands East Indies. When the flight arrived at Darwin, and before refueling could be effected, information of the approach of an enemy formation was received. When the approaching enemy, consisting of approximately sixty high-level bombers, thirty-six fighters and eighteen dive-bombers was intercepted, Lieutenant McMahon, in spite of the tremendous odds, courageously attacked the enemy formation, inflicting heavy damage, and continued the attack until his airplane was shot down. Second Lieutenant McMahon’s unquestionable valor in aerial combat is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the Far East Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.