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) Elbert Owen Meals, United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a B-26 Medium Bomber in the 77th Bombardment Squadron, 28th Bombardment Group (C), ELEVENTH Air Force, while participating in a bombing mission on 4 June 1942, against enemy Japanese targets in the Aleutian area, Territory of Alaska. Captain Meals led a flight of five medium bombardment airplanes in a torpedo attack against the enemy naval concentration, the flight being made in bad weather under a ceiling of from fifty to three hundred feet. Due to the weather and the heavy enemy anti-aircraft fire only two planes were able to locate the target and deliver their attacks. Captain Meals approached within a half-mile of the enemy, launched his torpedo and pulled up into the overcast. The torpedo hit the cruiser and exploded. Captain Meals returned to his base alone. During the period 3 June 1942 to 7 June 1942, this officer led several flights against reported enemy naval concentrations. Captain Meals was in a position of great responsibility in that he chose to lead his flight through extremely bad weather to the target and then in the face of heavy anti-aircraft fire launch his attack. The visibility and ceiling were such that this officer could not have been criticized if he had chosen to abandon the mission and return to his base before the attack had been launched. The personal courage and zealous devotion to duty displayed by Captain Meals on these occasions have upheld the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 11th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.