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) Ellis William Wright, Jr. (ASN: 0-393170), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-40 Fighter Airplane in Headquarters, 49th Fighter Group, FIFTH Air Force, in action near Oro Bay, New Guinea, on 11 April 1943. While Captain Wright was visiting an advanced Air Base, the alert was sounded for approaching enemy aircraft, and he volunteered to join the intercepting formation. Engine trouble prevented his leaving the base with them, but shortly thereafter he took off alone. He encountered and attacked a formation of from twelve to sixteen enemy aircraft, forcing one down in flames. Continuing his flight, he shot down another enemy plane. As he joined our formation, he saw that one of our planes was being attacked by several of the enemy. He dove into the hostile formation, forced it to disperse, and hit still another enemy aircraft, causing it to explode. In this voluntary action over the sea thirty miles from land, Captain Wright showed admirable daring and skill. Captain Wright’s unquestionable valor in aerial combat is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 5th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.