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 Thomas M. Ezzell, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on 4 June 1969, as Co-Pilot of an unarmed EC-121R reconnaissance aircraft on a highly sensitive reconnaissance mission in Southeast Asia. On that date, in spite of great personal danger from hostile antiaircraft artillery, a critical inflight emergency, and severe weather, Lieutenant Ezzell and his crew continued their assigned mission in order to collect vital intelligence information. Lieutenant Ezzell’s outstanding knowledge of the aircraft and superb airmanship resulted in the completion of a reconnaissance mission vital to the survival of friendly forces in the area. The aerial skill, professional competence, and devotion to duty displayed by First Lieutenant Ezzell reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.