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) Reginald Hubert Phillips (ASN: 0-435703), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a B-24 Heavy Bomber in the 506th Bombardment Squadron, 44th Bombardment Group (H), NINTH Air Force (Attached), while participating in a bombing mission on 1 August 1943, against the Ploesti Oil Refineries in Rumania. In a minimum-level attack upon a vital enemy installation made by B-24 type aircraft, Captain Phillips was leading the second element of his squadron over the exacting course required by the intricate nature of the target, when his plane was subjected to heavy point-blank gunfire from ground emplacements. Realizing that to take evasive action might jeopardize the success of the mission, Captain Phillips bore directly to his target, leading his element through heavy smoke and fire to a brilliant destruction of the target. His devotion to duty, his skillful maneuvering of his aircraft, and his complete disregard for aught but the success of his task, are a tribute both to himself and the Army Air Forces.