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 Sergeant Norman P. Michelsen, United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight of nine B-17 bombers from Honolulu to the Philippine Islands from 5 September to 12 September 1941. Sergeant Michelsen displayed skillful airmanship and accurate knowledge of the highly technical details involved in the successful execution of the flight which involved traversing by air uncharted waters from Wake Island to Fort Moresby and Darwin and thence to Fort Stotsenburg. The speed with which each phase of this flight was accomplished indicated a high quality of navigation. This outstanding achievement reflects the highest credit on the military forces of the United States.