Lyman Middleditch, Jr.

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Lyman Middleditch, Jr. (0-427759), First Lieutenant (Air Corps), U.S. 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 64th Fighter Squadron, 57th Fighter Group, NINTH Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces on 27 October 1942, in North Africa. On that date First Lieutenant Middleditch became the first fighter pilot in the European Theater of Operations to score a TRIPLE VICTORY when he shot down three German Bf-109s in a single engagement. First Lieutenant Middleditch’s unquestionable valor in aerial combat is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 5th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.