Russel M. Church

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Russel M. Church (0-374264), 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 17th Pursuit Squadron, 24th Pursuit Group, FAR EAST Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces on 16 December 1941, during an air mission over Vigan, Philippine Islands. Together with First Lieutenant Boyd Wagner, First Lieutenant Church undertook the hazardous mission of dive bombing the enemy-held airfield at Vigan in the Philippine Islands. When they had reached the target area, Lieutenant Wagner signaled Lieutenant Strauss in a third fighter to remain on patrol, while he and Lieutenant Church proceeded to bomb the airfield. As they went into a dive, Lieutenant Church’s plane was hit and set afire by anti-aircraft fire, but he continued the attack, released his bombs, and crashed to his death. First Lieutenant Church’s unquestionable valor in aerial combat, at the cost of his life, is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the Far East Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.