(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 Sergeant Charles Douglas Mulligan, United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Tail Gunner of a B-29 Heavy Bomber in the 497th Bombardment Group (VH), TWENTIETH Air Force, while participating in a bombing mission on 27 January 1945, against enemy targets in Japan. Sergeant Mulligan’s bomber was heavily damaged when a Japanese fighter, diving in an attack, was unable to pull out and crashed into the Superfortress’ left wing. The bomber went into an uncontrollable 8,000 foot drop before the pilot and co-pilot regained control, only to face an onslaught of enemy fighters. Sergeant Mulligan valiantly manned his guns despite being wounded by a bullet in his right hand. He continued to fire until the very last second when the snarling prop of a following enemy plane was but inches from his glass-bound compartment, and the determined tail gunner snatched his hands from his gunsight and flung his arms over his face as the Japanese fighter crashed into his compartment. After a 60-mile running battle, the enemy fighters were forced to turn back and the pilot and co-pilot managed to nurse the bomber back to Saipan where it made a crash landing. The personal courage and zealous devotion to duty displayed by Sergeant Mulligan on this occasion have upheld the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 20th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.