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) Gerald McCallum (ASN: 0-388622), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-40 Fighter Airplane in the 17th Pursuit Squadron, 24th Pursuit Group, FAR EAST Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces on 25 February 1942, over Surabaya, Java. When leading a flight to intercept enemy airplanes at Surabaya, Lieutenant McCallum encountered 54 enemy bombers, protected by 36 fighters. In spite of the fact that the enemy had the advantage of both numbers and altitude, he unhesitatingly led his flight in an attack. During the engagement, when he saw that one of his pilots was being hard-pressed and in serious danger from an enemy fighter, he attacked with total disregard for his own safety, and drove off the enemy airplane, but in doing so lost his own life. First Lieutenant McCallum’s unquestionable valor in aerial combat, at the cost of his life, is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the Far East Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.