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) John W. Ray (ASN: 0-907279), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with the 874th Bomber Squadron, 498th Bombardment Group (Very Heavy), TWENTIETH Air Force on 17 December 1944. While serving as Flight Engineer of a B-29 aircraft participating in an attack against a heavily defended target at Tokyo, Japan, Lieutenant Ray sacrificed his life in order that he might assist the pilot in maneuvering a crippled aircraft to an emergency landing in Tokyo Bay. On the approach to the target a large force of enemy fighters intercepted the B-29 formation and seriously damaged Lieutenant Ray’s aircraft by gunfire. The enemy fighters then concentrated their efforts against the crippled aircraft and despite the effective defensive fire delivered by the valiant gunners, three fighters deliberately rammed the bomber and damaged the controls to the extent that it became temporarily unmanageable. The signal was given to abandon the aircraft and those of the crew who were uninjured promptly bailed out. Realizing that the critically injured co-pilot and other crew members could not escape by parachute, Lieutenant Ray remained at his station in an attempt to land the aircraft in order that the injured might be rescued. The exceptional heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Ray are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States. [This award supersedes the award of the Silver Star to Lieutenant Ray, for gallantry in action on 27 December 1944, as published in General Orders 21, Headquarters, XXI Bomber Command, 8 February 1945.]