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 Joseph Howell (ASN: 0-2071464), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy as Pilot of a B-26 Bomber of the 452d Bombardment Squadron, 322d Bombardment Group, EIGHTH Air Force, on 14 May 1943. The aircraft in which Lieutenant Howell was serving as Pilot was severely damaged as a result of enemy action. With great courage, resourcefulness and skill this officer managed to fly the badly disabled aircraft back to friendly territory, and ordered the crew to abandon the craft. With complete disregard for his personal safety, and thinking only of the lives of the civilian population, Lieutenant Howell flew his disintegrating aircraft away from a densely populated area and was killed in the resultant crash. The courage, skill and high devotion to duty displayed by this officer are in the highest traditions of the military service.