The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross (Posthumously) to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Larren Marcine Allen (NSN: 0-83928), United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Pilot of a mission to take low, close, oblique photographs of the beaches of heavily defended islands of Kwajalein Atoll on 5 January 1944 by two Liberator planes of Photographic Squadron THREE, during operations of United States Naval Forces against the Marshall Islands. In spite of attack by twelve or more enemy fighters, the mission was carried to completion and photographs of vital importance were obtained. The crew of the plane, taking the brunt of the attack, furnished, by maintaining heavy fire against the attacking fighters, an effective defense enabling the remaining plane to complete the mission successfully. The surviving crew continued the task and brought back valuable information. His conduct throughout this mission was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.