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 First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Joseph Wayne Jorda (ASN: 0-495857), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Fighter Pilot of a P-38 type aircraft of the 96th Fighter Squadron, 82d Fighter Group, FIFTEENTH Air Force, in the North African Theater of Operations. On 20 May 1943, Lieutenant Jorda’s squadron escorted twenty-nine B-25’s over Villacidre Airdrome. With enemy fighters making persistent attacks during and after the bomb run, Lieutenant Jorda destroyed one ME-109, probably destroyed a Macchi 200, and figured prominently in the destruction of eight hostile planes. The bombers were thus enabled to register direct hits on the airdrome and return without loss. Lieutenant Jorda’s outstanding courage and flying skill have reflected great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.