(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 First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Dudley Bailey Rose (ASN: 0-816160), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as a Pilot of a C-46 Commando Transport aircraft with the 48th Troop Carrier Squadron, 313th Troop Carrier Group, NINTH Air Force, in action against enemy forces on 24 March 1945, in the European Theater of Operations. On that day, Lieutenant Rose’s aircraft was in action against German forces while dropping elements of the 17th Airborne Division near Wesel, Germany, during Operation VARSITY. When his plane was hit by German fire, he had to make the run to drop the troops with both wings on fire. The entire crew, and all the paratroopers except one, bailed out safely. First Lieutenant Rose’s unquestionable valor in aerial combat is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.