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 Master Sergeant [then Technical Sergeant] Charles T. Reeves (ASN: 6545846), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Gunner on a B-17 Heavy Bomber of the 9th Bombardment Squadron, 7th Bombardment Group (Heavy), TENTH Air Force, while participating in a bombing mission over Balikpapan, Borneo, on 19 January 1942. When on a bombing mission against an enemy fleet off the coast of Borneo, during a second bombing run, Sergeant Reeves’ flight was attacked by twenty enemy fighters. In spite of heavy enemy fire and considerable damage to the lead airplane, the run was continued, during which time Sergeant Reeves manned the forward gun five times to ward off head-on attacks from enemy planes and succeeded in shooting down two of them. Despite the enemy attacks, Sergeant Reeves returned to his bombsight and dropped three direct hits on an enemy cruiser which sank almost immediately. His cool and fearless determination in the face of strong enemy attack insured the success of the mission. The personal courage and zealous devotion to duty displayed by Master Sergeant Reeves on this occasion have upheld the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 10th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.