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 Colonel (Air Corps) Gwen Grover Atkinson (ASN: 0-21660), 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 58th Fighter Group, FIFTH Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces on 26 December 1944, during an air mission over Mindoro Island near Luzon in the Philippine Islands. When a Japanese task force consisting of a battleship, a heavy cruiser and six destroyers approached and threatened the recently occupied allied base at Mindoro Island near Luzon at night, Colonel Atkinson, taking off in the midst of an enemy air raid, led two squadrons of P-47 aircraft in what seemed an almost suicidal attack upon the task force. Because it had been impossible to load the P-47’s with bombs, he instructed the pilots to make diversionary strafing runs over the warships to prevent the enemy gunners from concentrating their fire in any one direction. Leading the way through an intense anti-aircraft barrage, he came at masthead level and raked the full length of the cruiser with machine gun fire. He then led his squadrons in a series of strafing attacks which started fire on the cruiser and several destroyers silenced gun batteries, and killed a majority of the enemy gun crews. Only after he had expended all his ammunition and all the pilots had left the area did he proceed to a base on the island of Mindoro, where he arrived with his gasoline almost exhausted. Demonstrating inspiring leadership, outstanding courage and superb flying skill, Colonel Atkinson contributed materially to the elimination of a serious threat to our newly won airstrips and installations. His unquestionable valor in aerial combat is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 5th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.