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) Edward David Durand (ASN: 0-417205), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-38 Fighter Airplane in the 35th Fighter Squadron, 8th Fighter Group, FIFTH Air Force, in action near Salamaua, New Guinea, on 30 April 1942. Immediately upon arrival in the combat zone for the first time, the Squadron of which Lieutenant Durand was a member was directed to attack enemy-held bases at Lae and Salamaua, New Guinea. Operating over unfamiliar terrain, in spite of inadequate maps, the mission approached the Lae airdrome from the sea, taking the enemy by surprise, and destroying or damaging fifteen heavy bombers and several fighters. Proceeding to Salamaua, ground installations and personnel were machine gunned and three sea planes on the water were destroyed. When a superior number of enemy fighters attacked at a low altitude, at least four of the enemy planes were shot down in the sustained combat which followed. Second Lieutenant Durand’s’ unquestionable valor in aerial combat is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 5th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.