The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Claude Ross Kinsey (ASN: 0-496116), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in the North African Theater of Operations as Pilot of a P-38 type aircraft of the 96th Fighter Squadron, 82d Fighter Group, FIFTEENTH Air Force. From 23 December 1942 to 4 May 1943, Lieutenant Kinsey has distinguished himself as a combat pilot and as a flight leader. His conspicuous gallantry and superior leadership have been of high inspiration to all who have served with him. He has destroyed five enemy aircraft, probably has destroyed two more, and has damaged one. Over the Sicilian Straits on 4 May 1943, Lieutenant Kinsey led his flight with consummate skill and daring when his squadron attacked more than forty JU-52’s escorted by twenty-two fighter aircraft. Our fighters destroyed fifteen enemy planes, probably destroyed three others and damaged six. Lieutenant Kinsey was last seen in desperate combat protecting the rear of his formation and subsequently was reported a Prisoner of War. His consistent self-denial and extraordinary devotion to duty have upheld the highest ideals of the United States Army Air Forces.