The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Staff Sergeant Hoy Dean Embree (ASN: 17075343), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Ball Turret Gunner of a B-17 Heavy Bomber of the 511th Bombardment Squadron, 351st Bombardment Group (H), EIGHTH Air Force, while participating in a bombing mission over enemy-occupied continental Europe on 19 May 1943. To enable an aircraft of the squadron of which he was a member to participate in the operation, he volunteered to serve as ball turret gunner, thus completing an otherwise incomplete crew. During the subsequent mission, the aircraft in which Staff Sergeant Embree was serving was attacked by a force of German fighter planes, and he was seriously wounded. Despite his wounds, Staff Sergeant Embree remained in the ball turret, firing on the attacking enemy fighters. The personal courage and zealous devotion to duty displayed by Staff Sergeant Embree on this occasion, even when confronted with practically certain destruction, exemplified the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 9th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.