George Laven, Jr.

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to George Laven, Jr. (0-423810), 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-39 Fighter Airplane in the 54th Fighter Group, ELEVENTH Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy Japanese forces on 3 September 1942, during an air mission over Kiska Island, Territory of Alaska. Flying over 600 miles over open water, for a period of eight hours, First Lieutenant Laven destroyed a four-engine flying boat, strafed Japanese gun installations and a small boat in the harbor. He, while under heavy enemy anti-aircraft fire, also discovered and reported an unknown submarine net in the Kiska Harbor. First Lieutenant Laven’s unquestionable valor in aerial combat is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 11th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.