The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Arthur Tilman Holland, United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Pilot of a Bombing Plane attached to Bombing Squadron SEVEN (VB-7), operating from the U.S.S. HANCOCK, against major units of the enemy Japanese Fleet during the Battle off Samar, on 25 October 1944. Launched at dawn from his parent carrier when a formidable task force of hostile battleships, cruisers, and destroyers steamed through the San Bernardino Strait and attacked our escort carriers, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Holland flew eastward to extreme range, holding steadily to his course and closing in on his target despite strong winds, persistent shellfire, and aerial opposition. Plunging to perilously low altitude in daring defiance of the enemy’s terrific antiaircraft fire, he pressed home his bold attack with devastating speed and skill, scoring several near misses on a Japanese cruiser. A superb airman, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Holland, by his intrepid fighting spirit, determined aggressiveness, and cool courage in the face of overwhelming odds, contributed essentially to the extensive damage and destruction inflicted upon the enemy in this bitter engagement and his valiant conduct throughout the fierce hostilities upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service