The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Frank Charles Marpe, Jr. (ASN: 0-68454), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a B-24 Heavy Bomber in the 720th Bombardment Squadron, 450th Bombardment Group (H), FIFTEENTH Air Force, while participating in a bombing mission on 5 April 1944, against enemy ground targets at Ploesti, Rumania. Lieutenant Marpe was serving as Pilot and Deputy Leader in a B-24 formation dispatched on an extremely hazardous and important mission to bomb marshalling yards and oil refineries at Ploesti, Rumania. The target was known to be defended by 144 heavy-caliber anti-aircraft guns and about 250 fighter aircraft. Immediately before taking off, a serious gasoline leak in the bomb bay was discovered which necessitated a speedy change to another airplane. In transferring equipment, two parachutes were left behind. Rather than turn back from the mission, Lieutenant Marpe gave his own parachute to a crew member while hasty plans were made for sharing parachutes in case of emergency. Approaching the target, the heroic pilot’s bomber was attacked by two waves of fighters which riddled the aircraft and set it afire in the bomb bays and on the flight deck. Ordering his men to leave the doomed airplane, the pilot declined to carry out his plan to bail out with the engineer, and when last seen was struggling to keep his staggering aircraft in level flight so that the crew could jump safely. He died in the flaming crash of his bomber. The magnificent loyalty, dauntless courage, and supreme sacrifice of Lieutenant Marpe allowed members of his crew to save themselves. His personal courage and zealous devotion to duty on this occasion have upheld the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 15th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.