(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Leo Arthur Boelens (ASN: 0-426888), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with the Philippine Guerilla Forces during the period from 4 April 1943 through 22 January 1944, in the Philippine Islands. Captured by the Japanese and held as a Prisoner of War, First Lieutenant Boelens was one of ten men including two Naval Officers, three Air Corps Officers, and two Marine Corps Officers who escaped after nearly a year in captivity following the fall of Bataan and Corregidor. The ten men evaded their captors for days until making contact with Filipino Guerillas under Wendell Fertig. Lieutenant Boelens continued to serve with the guerrilla forces until his death on 22 January 1944. This escape was the only mass escape from a Japanese prison camp during the war. The personal courage and zealous devotion to duty displayed by First Lieutenant Boelens throughout this period have upheld the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the Prisoner of War, and the United States Army Air Forces.