The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Alvin J. Mueller, Jr. (ASN: 0-365397), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a B-17 Heavy Bomber in the 19th Bombardment Group (H), FAR EAST Air Force, while participating in a bombing mission on 25 December 1941. On that date, First Lieutenant Mueller participated as pilot in a bombing raid made by two B-17s on the aerodrome at Davao, Mindanao, Philippine Islands, which was then being used by the enemy. During the attack, his airplane was twice hit by anti-aircraft bursts. Shortly afterward both airplanes were attacked by ten enemy pursuit planes. The formation leader’s airplane lost an engine on the enemy’s first attack and his tail gunner was killed. This necessitated the taking up of a much slower speed by the leader. Despite the fact that his airplane had already been hit twice, Lieutenant Mueller stayed in formation with the leader and for twenty minutes fought off the attacks of enemy pursuit. The effectiveness of the protection he thus afforded the leader was evidenced by the fact that upon returning to his field, it was found that the leader’s airplane had barely more than a dozen enemy hits on it while Lieutenant Mueller’s airplane had more than a hundred. The airplane was so badly disabled that it was only by extreme skill that Lieutenant Mueller avoided a serious crash upon landing. Such display of courage and protection afforded a combat team is indicative of the highest traditions of the service.