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 First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Berdines Lackness (ASN: 0-725619), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a B-25 Medium Bomber in the 405th Bombardment Squadron, 38th Bombardment Group (M), FIFTH Air Force, while participating in a bombing mission on 17 August 1943, against enemy targets near Wewak, New Guinea. Lieutenant Lackness was Pilot of one of a formation of medium bombers, which, with fighter escort, had a mission to destroy a concentration of enemy aircraft at Dagua Airdrome. Before the objective was reached, all bombers of the formation except Lieutenant Lackness’ and two others were forced to turn back because of mechanical difficulty. The fighters then departed to escort another formation. Electing to continue despite reduced numbers and lack of protection, Lieutenant Lackness joined the other two bombers and proceeded to the target. In the face of intense anti-aircraft and machine gun fire, he made a devastating bombing and strafing attack from minimum altitude, contributing to the destruction of seventeen grounded enemy planes and the damaging of twenty more. Ten to fifteen enemy fighters then intercepted this flight of three, which, in a running fight of thirty-seven minutes, shot down two and damaged three of the hostile planes. In voluntarily persisting in this attack despite dangerous odds, Lieutenant Lackness showed high courage and made a substantial contribution to the success of the mission. His personal courage and zealous devotion to duty on this occasion upheld the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 5th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.