The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross (Posthumously) to Captain (Air Corps) Thomas Franklin Mansfield (ASN: 0-23165), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as Pilot of a B-26 Aircraft of the ELEVENTH Air Force, in action against the Japanese in the Aleutian area on 4 June 1942. Captain Mansfield acting in the capacity of first pilot on a scheduled bombing mission was unable to join his flight because of mechanical difficulties. When these were rectified he proceeded unaccompanied through inclement weather to his objective. Contacting the enemy concentrations at a distance of approximately one-half mile and at an altitude of 250 feet, he immediately dove into the heavy anti-aircraft defense of the enemy to accomplish his mission. The courage and heroism displayed by Captain Mansfield in making the supreme sacrifice reflects the greatest credit upon himself and the Army Air Forces.