(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: 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) John Louis Dufrane, Jr. (ASN: 0-22810), 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 9th Bombardment Squadron, 7th Bombardment Group (H), TENTH Air Force, while participating in a bombing mission on 16 January 1942, against enemy Japanese shipping targets at Manado, Celebes. First Lieutenant Dufrane’s plane lost an engine during the bombing run but succeeded in destroying one large transport and damaging another. After leaving the target area the bombers were attacked by 15 enemy fighters, of which seven were shot down by the bomber crew. The ensuing aerial engagement lasted for 55 minutes and the cannon and machine gun fire so damaged his plane that an emergency landing was made at Kendari. As repairs were being made, Japanese planes strafed the field almost continuously for two days. Three attempts were made to get the plane into the air, but all were unsuccessful. After learning of enemy infiltration in the area, the crew destroyed the plane to prevent its seizure, and was flown to safety by another aircraft. The personal courage and zealous devotion to duty displayed by First Lieutenant Dufrane on this occasion have upheld the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 10th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.