(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: 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) Robert L. Taylor (ASN: 0-700576), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a B-26 Medium Bomber in the 558th Bombardment Squadron, 387th Bombardment Group (M), NINTH Air Force, while participating in a bombing mission on 25 January 1945, against enemy targets in European Theater of Operations. First Lieutenant Taylor’s B-26 Marauder left formation after it was hit by flak but initially no smoke or fire was noticeable coming from either engine. The bomber was in a dive when the right engine caught fire with noticeable flames. After ordering the crew to bail out, First Lieutenant Taylor remained in the cockpit in an attempt to control and level the plane so that the crew could jump. After the crew left the plane, the burning right engine exploded and the ship went into a spin and spun into the ground. The plane was last seen in the air between Sinzig and Koblenz, Germany. All of the other crew members survived. The personal courage and zealous devotion to duty displayed by First Lieutenant Taylor on this occasion, at the cost of his life, have upheld the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 9th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.