(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: 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 Captain (Air Corps) Cowell Van Deventer (ASN: 0-885257), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-47 Fighter Airplane in the 410th Fighter Squadron, 373d Fighter Group, NINTH Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces on 8 July 1944, in the European Theater of Operations. On that date, Captain Van Deventer was leading a combat patrol at 24,000 feet when he spotted four P-47 Thunderbolts in aerial combat against eight German fighters at 5,000 feet. After radioing the P-47s that his flight was coming to their aid, he and his men began a dive to 5,000 feet. One of the German ME-109s broke off from the fight and headed inland. Captain Van Deventer gave chase and shot the plane down from a distance of about 50 yards. Ten miles away, Captain Van Deventer spotted another ME-109 at low altitude and, by flying 100 feet above the ground, was able to get under the German fighter and give him a fatal burst from his guns. Captain Van Deventer’s unquestionable valor in aerial combat is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 9th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.