(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) Thomas Adam Carruth (ASN: 0-386936), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Lead Bombardier of a B-17 Heavy Bomber in the 526th Bombardment Squadron, 379th Bombardment Group (H), EIGHTH Air Force, while participating in a bombing mission on 13 September 1944, against enemy ground targets at Merseburg, Germany. On this date, Lieutenant Carruth’s plane was struck by flak and although unhurt, he was thrown from his seat as he was synchronizing his bombsight on the target. Then, approximately twenty second before “Bombs Away,” another burst of flak inflicted a serious wound in h is shoulder and again threw him from his seat to the rear end of the nose compartment. Completely disregarding the profuse bleeding from his painful wound, he crawled back to his bombsight and released his bombs directly on the target. After receiving first aid, despite the intense cold and pain, he (remainder of citation missing). His extraordinary heroism and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.