Robert P. Montgomery

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Robert P. Montgomery (0-396297), Lieutenant Colonel (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-51 Fighter Airplane in the 20th Fighter Group, EITHTH Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces on 2 November 1944, during an air mission over Air Mission Merseburg, Germany. On this date, Lieutenant Colonel Montgomery led his group into a formation of 250 Me-109s. A furious battle took place from 27,000 feet to the deck. In the action that followed 28 enemy aircraft were destroyed, 1 probably destroyed and 5 were damaged. Lieutenant Colonel Montgomery himself shot down THREE enemy aircraft in this engagement. Lieutenant Colonel Montgomery’s unquestionable valor in aerial combat is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 8th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.