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 Second Lieutenant (Air Corps) Leo Joseph Trauth, Jr. (ASN: 0-2064161), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Bombardier of a B-17 Heavy Bomber of the EIGHTH Air Force, in action against enemy forces on 10 January 1945, during a mission against the marshalling yards at Karlsruhe, Germany. On this date, approaching the target about one minute before bombs away, Second Lieutenant Trauth was wounded in the right eye by a burst of flak. Although suffering intense pain and blinded by his wound, he dropped his bombs squarely on the target. Refusing to leave his post, Lieutenant Trauth remained conscious until the plane reached its home base. After landing he lost consciousness and died of his wound five days later. Second Lieutenant Trauth’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 and the United States Army Air Forces.