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 Colonel (Air Corps), [then Second Lieutenant] William E. Creer, United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight from France Field, Canal Zone, to Rio Hato, Republic of Panama, on 31 July 1940. While flying a B-18 airplane near San Carlos, Republic of Panama, at approximately 4,000 feet altitude, with a crew of six men, the right engine failed and vibrated excessively. Colonel Creer, who was acting as instructor pilot, immediately took command of the airplane and ordered each crew member to check his life vest and parachute and headed the airplane for Rio Hato to make a landing. When the vibration became so excessive it was evident that the airplane could not be flown that far, Colonel Creer, because of the rough terrain around San Carlos, headed the airplane out over the ocean, intending to land on the water. When the right engine caught fire and after attempts to extinguish the flames failed, Colonel Creer turned the plane back to shore and immediately ordered the men to jump. After making sure the copilot and other members of the crew had jumped, Colonel Creer continued to hold the airplane level and attempted to adjust the automatic pilot. At that time, the right engine vibrated off the airplane, taking a portion of the wing with it. When the fire spread over the right side of the airplane and dense smoke entered the cabin, Colonel Creer abandoned the airplane through the pilot’s hatch. The calmness, judgment, and bravery displayed by Colonel Creer on this occasion reflect great credit on himself and the military service.