The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Ralph Taylor Holland (ASN: 0-441843), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on 10 May 1945. Captain Holland was a combat crew member of the lead airplane of a formation of B-29 aircraft on a bombardment mission against the O’Shima, Japan, naval oil storage center. Assigned to the important task of touching off the bombing by his own release of projectiles, his crew successfully navigated the long over-water flight to the objective and made assembly with the formation. Reaching the target through severe opposition, his crew located the aiming point accurately, dropping their bombs with such synchronization that eighty-five percent of the entire formation’s explosives struck within 1,000 feet of the aiming point. The leadership and determination of Captain Holland, together with his superior airmanship, reflects great credit upon himself and the Army Air Forces.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Ralph Taylor Holland (ASN: 0-441843), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on 9 June 1945. Captain Holland was a combat crew member of the lead B-29 aircraft on a mission from a base in the Marianas against the Kawanishi aircraft factory, Narue plant, Armagasaki, Japan. Despite heavy cloud cover he led the formation on an exceptional bombing run, securing direct hits on the objective. This resulted in a damage assessment of sixty-seven percent of the factory destroyed on this number one priority target. His actions demonstrate outstanding professional skill and devotion to duty, reflecting great credit upon himself and the Army Air Forces.

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 Captain Ralph Taylor Holland (ASN: 0-441843), United States Army Air Forces, for outstanding and meritorious achievement while participating in operational and/or combat flights from bases in India to bases in China and return, and from bases in China on missions over enemy territory where enemy fire was probable and expected during the period from 28 May 1944 through 9 January 1945. Captain Holland accomplished his mission with determination above and beyond that normally expected. He participated in operational and/or combat flights over extremely rugged terrain where unfavorable weather made flying hazardous and exhibited untiring energy and meticulous care while flying. Undaunted by the many hazards faced regularly and continually, he performed his duties in such a manner and to reflect great credit to this Command and to the Army Air Forces.