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 Technical Sergeant Louis Allen Lannon (ASN: 17060075), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as a Waist Gunner in a B-24 type aircraft of the 719th Bombardment Squadron, 449th Bombardment Group, FIFTEENTH Air Force, during a particularly hazardous mission on 4 April 1944. Approximately ten minutes before reaching the bomb run, the entire formation was subjected to an intense barrage of accurate and concentrated enemy anti-aircraft fire. At the same time the formation was viciously attacked by eight to one hundred enemy fighter aircraft. The aircraft of which Technical Sergeant Lannon was a member sustained numerous hits which killed eight members of the crew and wounded Technical Sergeant Lannon. Although suffering from shock and pain and momentarily dazed, Technical Sergeant Lannon struggled to his feet and, with an unusual display of fortitude, again manned his guns. The aircraft became a straggler because of loss of power and since its isolated position rendered it a supposedly easy target for the attacking enemy fighter aircraft, it sustained many more hits. Technical Sergeant Lannon was again wounded by shell fragments in his chest, but did not cease his valorous efforts to destroy the enemy aircraft whose attacks were becoming more intensified. By his display of courage and intrepidity while wounded, to the extent of endangering his own life, Technical Sergeant Lannon has reflected great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States of America.