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 Captain (Air Corps) George Herbert Helmick (ASN: 0-724553), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving as a Pilot of a PBY Blackcat aircraft with the 3d Emergency Rescue Squadron, FIFTH Air Force, in action at Lingayen Gulf, Luzon, Philippine Islands, on 3 January 1945. Captain Helmick volunteered to attempt the rescue of another airman shot down at *****. Although scheduled to make the flight under cover of darkness, he could not take off until morning due to repeated enemy attacks on the airdrome. Flying a seaplane to the ***** area, he began a search during which his fighter cover became lost. Captain Helmick sighted the missing pilot on the beach, brought his plane down on the water in heavy winds and high swells, and under fire from nearby enemy surface vessels, taxied four miles along the coast to rescue the missing airman. As he moved the plane into position for a takeoff, enemy fire caused one engine to fail. Since the damaged plane could not gain proper altitude, the entire return trip of two hundred miles was made at fifty feet above the water, and without fighter cover. Captain Helmick’s skillful piloting and outstanding heroism in the face of grave danger made possible the rescue of a fellow pilot and saved the lives of his crew. His unquestionable valor in aerial combat is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.