(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: 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 Captain (Air Corps) Richard Arden McNees (ASN: 0-732300), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-38 Fighter Airplane in the 485th Fighter Squadron, attached to the 370th Fighter Group, NINTH Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces on 25 June 1944, in the European Theater of Operations. On that date, Captain McNees’ Squadron engaged a group of German fighters and, during the combat, he observed a P-38 without power and trailing smoke, while trying to glide to friendly lines. Captain McNees noticed a German fighter closing in to kill the P-38 and quickly maneuvered his plane into position behind the German fighter before it could kill his squadron mate. He opened fire on the German plane and it exploded and crashed. Captain McNees’ unquestionable valor in aerial combat is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 8th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.