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 First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Robert Taylor Hanson (ASN: 0-388665), 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 3d Pursuit Squadron, 24th Pursuit Group, FAR EAST Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces on 11 December 1941. Accompanied by one other pursuit plane, First Lieutenant Hansen proceeded to the enemy-occupied territory around Legaspi, Albay, Philippine Islands, with the mission to dive-bomb the railroad leading from Legaspi to Manila. First Lieutenant Hansen’s plane was not equipped for bombing and he accordingly was given the mission to protect the other plane while it bombed the railroad. This mission was successfully completed. First Lieutenant Hansen received a radio message from the other plane to the effect “I’ve dropped all my bombs and am ready to go home. My ammunition is all gone so you had better not come down. I can’t cover you.” First Lieutenant Hanson, without protection, immediately dived down in the face of severe anti-aircraft fire and practically certain to be shot down, and strafed an enemy-occupied landing field, causing great damage to personnel and material. He then attacked enemy transports and small boats engaged in a landing operation in the harbor, flying so close that the personnel jumped into the water from the small boats. One small boat was sunk. He then shot down a large seaplane which was attempting to take off under cover of fire from an escorting destroyer. With his remaining ammunition First Lieutenant Hansen then attacked a destroyer, putting one anti-aircraft gun out of action. During this attack in the harbor First Lieutenant Hansen was under constant fire from the enemy ships. This additional attack, after his assigned mission had already been successfully carried out, is an example of flying skill, initiative, and courage beyond the call of duty. . First Lieutenant Hanson’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.