I. B. Jack Donalson’s Distinguished Service Cross citation

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to First Lieutenant (Air Corps), (then Second Lieutenant) I. B. Jack Donalson (ASN: 0-424927), United States 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 21st Pursuit Squadron, 5th Interceptor Command, FAR EAST Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces on Bataan Peninsula, Philippine Islands, in February 1942. When the remnants of an enemy landing party, numbering approximately seventy-five men, firmly entrenched along the shore under a cliff on the western coast of Bataan, were able to repulse with heavy losses all overland attempts to dislodge them, volunteers were called for to undertake an attack from the sea in two small boats. Lieutenant Donalson volunteered, commanded one of the boats, and in spite of heavy fire from the defenders and bombing, during the course of the attack, by nine enemy dive-bombers, succeeded in neutralizing the enemy position, thereby preventing further losses to our forces. First Lieutenant Donalson’s unquestionable valor in aerial combat 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.