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 Major (Air Corps) Robert James Colleran, United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving with the 308th Bombardment Group, FIFTH Air Force, during a bombing mission over New Guinea in 1944. Major Colleran was in an aircraft engaged on a bombing mission of enemy shipping. A bombing run was made in the face of intense anti-aircraft fire from ground installations and enemy vessels. During this run the aircraft was attacked by enemy fighters which shot out the tail turret and severely damaged the aircraft. The skill displayed by the pilot and copilot was responsible for the safe return of this aircraft to its home base without injury to personnel.