(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: 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) Lloyd D. Avery (ASN: 0-726302), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a B-29 Heavy Bomber of the 497th Bombardment Group (VH), TWENTIETH Air Force, while participating in a bombing mission on 27 January 1945, against enemy ground targets in Japan. First Lieutenant Avery’s bomber was heavily damaged when a Japanese fighter, diving in an attack, was unable to pull out and crashed into the Superfortress’ left wing. The bomber went into an uncontrollable 8,000 foot drop before the pilot and co-pilot regained control, only to face an onslaught of enemy fighters. First Lieutenant Avery ordered the crew to prepare to bail out but, when he learned that both the radio operator and tail gunner had been severely injured by enemy fire and could not bail out, he cancelled the order and attempted to try and get his badly-damaged bomber home. After a 60-mile running battle, the enemy fighters were forced to turn back and First Lieutenant Avery managed to nurse his bomber back to Saipan where it made a crash landing. The personal courage and zealous devotion to duty displayed by First Lieutenant Avery on this occasion have upheld the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 20th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.