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) Russel M. Church (ASN: 0-374264), 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 17th Pursuit Squadron, 24th Pursuit Group, FAR EAST Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces on 16 December 1941, when he and a comrade attacked 25 enemy planes parked on an airfield at Vigan, Philippine Islands. Lieutenant Church’s plane was hit by an anti-aircraft shell. Simultaneously he was ordered by his leader to dive bomb the field. He dived a half-mile and released his bomb with marked effect, and died in his falling, burning, and crashing airplane, because there was not sufficient time to jump for safety after accomplishing his mission. First Lieutenant Church’s unquestionable valor in aerial combat, at the cost of his life, 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.