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 (Air Corps) Richard G. Cross, Jr. (ASN: 0-69422414492A), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-51 Fighter Airplane in VIII Fighter Command, EIGHTH Air Force, while escorting bombers on a mission over Germany, on 7 July 1944. Immediately following an attack on a large force of ME-410’s, Lieutenant Cross, flying wingman for the group leader, boldly attacked about thirty ME-109’s, which were positioning for an assault on the bombers. After this action, during which the enemy fighters were dispersed, the group leader instructed Lieutenant Cross to take over and that he would fly as his wingman. Making a vigorous attack against approximately twenty ME-410’s, he destroyed one, only to discover that he had become separated from his wingman. In spite of the odds against him, Lieutenant Cross continued to attack and destroyed a second ME-410. Following this encounter, he located his wingman and the two of them returned safely to base. By his gallantry and daring offensive tactics, Lieutenant Cross afforded excellent protection to the bomber formation. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by First Lieutenant Cross, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.