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) Marvin C. Colton, United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement against the enemy on 24 March 1945. As lead bombardier of a formation of A-26 type aircraft Lieutenant Colton distinguished himself while participating in a mission against an important enemy communications center in Germany. In the face of continuous heavy antiaircraft fire from enemy ground positions and despite severe battle smoke and ground haze in the target area, Lieutenant Colton released his bombs on the objective with superior results. The professional skill, bombing technique and courage in the face of hazardous conditions on this occasion as exhibited by Lieutenant Colton were material factors in the success of this vital mission.