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) Sanford Kenneth Moats (ASN: 0-698996), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-51 Fighter Airplane in the 487th Fighter Squadron, 352d Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces on 1 January 1945, while leading an element in a twelve ship fighter squadron taking off on a patrol over Belgium. On this date, as he became airborne, Lieutenant Moats observed fifteen hostile fighters with an additional fifteen as top cover coming in to strafe the field. Unhesitatingly, Lieutenant Moats attacked and in the furious combat that ensued over a wide spread area where he was subjected alternately to friendly and enemy flak, he destroyed four enemy aircraft. Returning with his plane damaged by flak and entirely without ammunition, Lieutenant Moats continued to fly around the airfield simulating aggressive attacks on hostile aircraft until all enemy planes had been dispersed. The extraordinary heroism and determination to destroy the enemy displayed by Lieutenant Moats on this occasion are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 8th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.