Thomas A. Carruth

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Thomas A. Carruth, First Lieutenant (Air Corps), U.S. Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Bombardier of a B-17 Heavy Bomber in the 379th Bombardment Group (H), EIGHTH Air Force, while participating in a bombing mission on 13 September 1944, against enemy ground targets in Germany. On that date First Lieutenant Carruth was wounded in action during a bombing mission against the Farbenindustrie Synthetic Oil Plant at Merseburg, Germany. The personal courage and devotion to duty displayed by First Lieutenant Carruth on this occasion have upheld the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 8th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.