The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Donald Roy Michaelis (AFSN: AO-2030227), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force while serving as Pilot of an L-5 Observation Aircraft of the 3d Air Rescue Squadron, FIFTH Air Force, in action on 11 December 1950. First Lieutenant Michaelis, while participating in a local transition flight, monitored a distress call from the flight leader of a group of four (4) F-80 type aircraft. A member of the flight having sustained extensive battle damage had abandoned his aircraft in enemy territory. Realizing that the interval of time necessary to alert and dispatch a helicopter would necessitate and attempted and possibly unsuccessful evacuation after darkness, Lieutenant Michaelis proceeded without hesitation to the reported position. Locating the pilot, this officer displayed superior airmanship and profound courage by landing his light reconnaissance aircraft on a frozen rice field five (5) miles south of the city of Pyongyang, Korea. Under fire from enemy snipers, Lieutenant Michaelis at great personal risk succeeded in locating and evacuating the downed pilot, again demonstrating great skill and courage in making a successful take-off under adverse conditions. The intrepidity and devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Michaelis are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.