The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Harold R. Christensen (ASN: 0-738094), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a B-17 Heavy Bomber of the 91st Bombardment Group, EIGHTH Air Force, during a bombardment mission over continental Europe, on 14 October 1943. When his airplane was forced out of formation after leaving the target, Lieutenant Christensen, in spite of the great risk involved, determined to bring his crippled plane and his crew back to home base. He skillfully warded off the repeated attacks of several enemy fighters and suddenly found himself over a defended area and, in spite of skillful maneuvering, was mortally wounded when his aircraft suffered a direct hit. Totally disregarding his great pain or any thought of his own personal safety, Lieutenant Christensen remained at his post and relinquished control of the aircraft only when the defended area was safely passed and he himself was near collapse. The extraordinary heroism in the face of death, the coolness, determination, and devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Christensen reflect the highest credit upon himself and the armed forces of the United States.