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 Second Lieutenant (Air Corps) Donald Allen Walter (ASN: 0-437895), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Co-Pilot of a B-17 Heavy Bomber in the 414th Bombardment Squadron, 97th Bombardment Group (H), EIGHTH Air Force, while participating in a bombing mission on 21 August 1942, against enemy targets at the shipyards in Rotterdam, Holland. Lieutenant Walter was Co-Pilot of a B-17E bomber flying as part of a formation on a bombardment mission when his airplane was attacked by twenty to thirty enemy fighters at an altitude of approximately 21,000 feet. Despite overwhelming odds, Lieutenant Walter displayed great courage and skill under fire with utter disregard for personal danger. He was mortally wounded and died before his aircraft could be landed at a friendly airdrome. His courage and coolness under fire greatly contributed to the successful completion of the mission. The personal courage and zealous devotion to duty displayed by Second Lieutenant Walter 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 8th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.