(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 Captain (Air Corps) Laurence Elroy Blumer (ASN: 0-740351), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-38 Fighter Airplane in the 393d Fighter Squadron, 367th Fighter Group, NINTH Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces on August 25, 1944, in the European Theater of Operations. On this date, Captain Blumer became one of the few fighter pilots to become an “ace-in-a-day” when he shot down five FW-190s in 15 minutes of aerial combat. Captain Blumer’s unquestionable valor in aerial combat is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 9th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.