The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Paul Graham McArthur (ASN: 0-659742), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a P-40 Fighter Pilot of the 87th Fighter Squadron, 79th Fighter Group, NINTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the North African Theater of Operations. On 17 April 1943, while strafing heavy gun positions, motor transport and gun carriers southwest of Gabes, Tunisia, Lieutenant McArthur’s aircraft was hit by a shell in one fuel tank. Although drenched with gasoline and knowing that another hit from the ground would very probably set his fighter afire, Lieutenant McArthur did not hesitate to attack a Tiger Tank and kill six tank borne personnel, who were firing at him with submachine guns. Lieutenant McArthur has destroyed five enemy airplanes, and through his outstanding leadership and professional skill as fighter pilot has reflected great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.