The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Thomas R. Keyes, Jr. (AFSN: 0-3006203), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an AC-47 Aircraft Commander near Tuy Hoa, Republic of Vietnam on 18 July 1968. On that night, Captain Keyes was called on to assist a beleaguered United States Patrol what had come under intense hostile attack. Captain Keyes, disregarding the complications caused by bad weather, mountainous terrain and heavy hostile ground fire, rained down such an extremely accurate fusillade of firepower that the attack was broken, the hostile force was routed and scattered and the friendly forces were saved. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Keyes reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.