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) John Edward Vogt (ASN: 0-727593), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-47 Fighter Airplane in the 19th Fighter Squadron, 318th Fighter Group, SEVENTH Air Force. On 28 May 1945, while participating in a heckler mission over Kyushu, Japan, at approximately 16,000 feet, Captain Vogt and the six other pilots on the flight observed twenty-eight enemy Zekes closing in with an altitude advantage of 3,000 feet. The enemy was attempting to form a Luftberry circle above our aircraft. By superior tactical skill and leadership, after dropping all wing tanks, Captain Vogt led his flight in a steep climb which, at an altitude of 28,000 feet, gave his flight an advantage of a few hundred feet, thereby causing the enemy to break into smaller elements. Just as the enemy began to scatter, Captain Vogt with full knowledge of his numerical disadvantage and in utter disregard of his own safety, began a pass attack which was pressed with a display of superior technique. One after another the enemy, unable to avoid his persistent attack and unable to evade his guns, were destroyed until he had scored four kills. The fifth enemy made a head-on attack at Captain Vogt, only to be destroyed by expert marksmanship. Captain Vogt, by a skillful maneuver, was able to avoid collision with this last enemy airman who had apparently made up his mind to break up the attack at the cost of his own life. By this time, with ammunition almost exhausted, and the enemy completely disrupted, Captain Vogt re-formed his flight and returned to his home base. Captain Vogt’s action is an inspiration to this command and reflects the highest traditions of the Army Air Forces.