Harold L. Pederson

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Harold L. Pederson (0-885297), Second 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 an Airplane in aerial combat against enemy forces on 4 February 1943, in the North African Theater of Operations. On this date, Second Lieutenant Pederson was killed while trying to protect a pilot who had parachuted from his damaged aircraft. Second Lieutenant Pederson’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 and the United States Army Air Forces.