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 Captain (Air Corps) Carlyle Coleman (ASN: 0-417195), 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 in the 31st Bombardment Squadron, 5th Bombardment Group (H), THIRTEENTH Air Force, while participating in a bombing mission on 10 December 1942, against enemy Japanese targets in the Southwest Pacific Area. Captain Coleman’s bomber was attacked by an overwhelmingly superior force of enemy fighters while returning from a mission over enemy-held territory. During this action, Captain Coleman, through intrepidity and exceptional ability in controlling his plane, enabled his gunners to account for five enemy fighters and damaged several others. Captain Coleman received fatal wounds in the encounter. The personal courage and zealous devotion to duty displayed by Captain Coleman on this occasion, at the cost of his life, have upheld the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 13th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.