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 Sergeant Julian J. Howard (ASN: 14076213), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Headquarters Battery, 263d Field Artillery Battalion, 26th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces over Bonnal, Luxembourg, on 26 December 1944. Sergeant Howard, as pilot for an artillery observer, was returning from an assigned mission of observing and directing artillery fire on hostile positions. Suddenly his liaison plane became involved in a fierce dog fight between friendly and enemy fighter aircraft. Attempting to drop to a lower air level, Sergeant Howard and his observer approached the air path of an onrushing Germany ME-109 which had obtained a firing position on the tail of a friendly fighter plane. Without hesitation and with complete disregard for personal safety, they deliberately crashed their light plane into the enemy fighter, causing both aircraft to disintegrate in mid air. Sergeant Howard’s extraordinary heroism, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty at the cost of his life, exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 26th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.