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) Robert D. Bell (ASN: 0-728549), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-40 Fighter Airplane in the 89th Fighter Squadron, 80th Fighter Group, TENTH Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces on 27 March 1944, in the China-Burma-India Theater of Operations. First Lieutenant Bell, while in command of a flight of four P-40 fighters over Shingbwiyang, Burman, intercepted a force of 15 bombers and 24 fighters. His flight attacked despite the marked superiority of the enemy and destroyed four bombers and six fighters. First Lieutenant Bell himself accounted for one bomber and two fighters. First Lieutenant Bell’s unquestionable valor in aerial combat is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 10th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.