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) Richard James Vincent Slade (ASN: 0-824956), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy as Co-Pilot of a B-24 Bomber in the 718th Bombardment Squadron, 449th Bombardment Group, FIFTEENTH Air Force, in action against enemy forces on 3 November 1944, over Yugoslavia. After bombs away the plane received several direct hits which set it on fire. Lieutenant Slade, receiving the order to bail out with the rest of the crew, seized a fire extinguisher and proceeded to check the plane to see if all had left. Knowing that the pilot and engineer could not leave the plane immediately he kept fighting the fire. An explosion occurred causing damage to the bomb bay doors, blocking their escape route. Lieutenant Slade kept kicking in the flames at the obstructions though seriously burned and knowing that his ship was doomed he continued until it was possible for all three to escape and bail out. First Lieutenant Slade’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.