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) Marion Pope Owens (ASN: 0-792865), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-38 Fighter Airplane in the 401st Fighter Squadron, 370th Fighter Group, NINTH Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces on 25 February 1945, while leading his P-38 fighter squadron on an armed reconnaissance mission in the area of Dusseldorf and Cologne, Germany. On this date, Lieutenant Owens observed more than fifty enemy fighter aircraft flying four thousand feet above his squadron. Fully cognizant of the enemy’s vast numerical superiority and tactical advantage in altitude, he led his squadron in a direct attack on the hostile formation. In the ensuring combat, although he was often surrounded by enemy aircraft, he pressed home eight distinct attacks, destroying three enemy aircraft, probably destroying one, and damaging still another. The outstanding courage and determination to destroy the enemy displayed by Lieutenant Owens on this occasion is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 9th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.