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) Rudolph J. Cherkauer, United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight over Formosa, on 18 May 1945. Lieutenant Cherkauer was the pilot of a heavy bomber which participated in an attack against Tinian Airdrome. As the formation approached the objective, it had to fly through intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire. The lead plane, which was carrying a load of fragmentation bombs received a direct hit and exploded, and Lieutenant Cherkauer’s plane was riddled with shrapnel. Although the rudder was half shot away, one of the engines flaming, and the other engine on the same side running irregularly, he maintained his speed and altitude and successfully completed his bombing run. Since 3 members of the crew who had been seriously wounded were unable to parachute to safety, he kept his crippled aircraft aloft for 4 1/2 hours until he was able to make a safe landing. The outstanding courage and devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Cherkauer during this flight are in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Army Air Forces.