The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps) Wallace Eugene Hopkins (ASN: 0-420598), United States Army Air Forces, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a P-51 Fighter Pilot of the 361st Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the European Theater of Operations on 29 June 1944. While flying on a bomber escort mission to Germany, Lieutenant Colonel Hopkins spotted several undamaged aircraft on Oscheraleben Airdrome which had been bombed. Despite dense smoke, flak, and lack of top cover, Lieutenant Colonel Hopkins, accompanied only by his wing man, made eight passes at the field destroying four FW-190’s and damaging two others. The courage, skill and daring displayed by Lieutenant Colonel Hopkins on this occasion reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.