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) George Laven, Jr. (ASN: 0-423810), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-39 Fighter Airplane in the 54th Fighter Group, ELEVENTH Air Force, in action on 3 September 1942 while participating in the first pursuit attack made on enemy installations at Kiska Island, Alaska. In this operation against the enemy, strong installations were known to be heavily defended by anti-aircraft artillery. Lieutenant Laven flew as a member of a two-plane fighter element. Flying over more than six hundred miles of open water for a period of eight hours, Lieutenant Laven successfully aided in the destruction of a four-engined flying boat in the harbor, strafed gun installations on North Head and a small boat in the harbor. In addition, Lieutenant Laven discovered and reported the position of a submarine net at Kiska Harbor previously unreported. This determined attack by Lieutenant Laven, was carried out under heavy anti-aircraft fire in the most efficient manner. First Lieutenant Laven’s unquestionable valor in aerial combat is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 11th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.