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 Colonel (Air Corps) Kenneth Ray Martin (ASN: 0-21608), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-51 Fighter Airplane in the 354th Fighter Group, NINTH Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces on 11 February 1944. Colonel Martin led a formation of fighter airplanes in escort of a large bomber formation attacking a highly important and exceedingly well-defended target. He was flying an airplane equipped with a conspicuous blister type canopy, which clearly distinguished it from the other airplanes in the formation, attracted the concentrated attacks of the persistent and determined enemy fighter interceptors. Displaying utter thoughtlessness of self, Colonel Martin directed his forces to give the maximum defense to the bomber formation, while he himself suffered simultaneous attack from eight Me-410 intercepting fighter aircraft. In this encounter Colonel Martin destroyed one enemy airplane. While regaining altitude, after having driven off an enemy fighter airplane, Colonel Martin engaged another Me-410 head-on, against superior fire power, with no regard for his personal safety, and flew his airplane into the enemy interceptor. Colonel Martin’s heroic and fearless behavior in the face of great odds and his determination to fulfill his assigned task were an inspiration to all members of his group and reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.