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) Merle E. Larson (ASN: 0-495759), 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. Over the Sicilian Straits on 5 April 1943, Lieutenant Larson led his flight in attacking more than fifty JU-52’s, escorted by fifteen enemy fighters, bringing in vital supplies to the Axis Forces. He destroyed three of the transports and by his leadership aided materially in the destruction of many others. Lieutenant Larson’s initiative, courage, and devotion to duty reflected great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.