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 Roscoe Lee Hambleton (ASN: 0-421489), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism while serving with the 5307th Composite Unit (Merrill’s Marauders) in Burma on 3 May 1942. Captain Hambleton by extraordinary and heroic effort in the face of heavy and constant aerial bombardment, resulting in extremely heavy casualties, personally directed the crossing of the Irrawaddy River at Singu, Burma by the 22d Chinese Division, using one launch and a number of barges, thus preventing the loss of that unit and saving the lives of several thousand Chinese soldiers. The enemy’s rapid advance up the west bank of the river prevented Captain Hambleton from rejoining his own headquarters after the completion of the crossing. He then accompanied the Chinese Division on its long and hazardous retirement to the north, and as a result of the extreme hardships endured on the march, lost his life on 28 August 1942. This act of extraordinary heroism in action reflects great credit on the military forces of the United States.