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 Staff Sergeant Gordon L. Hartley, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a C-130B Flight Engineer at Bu Dop, Republic of Vietnam on 29 November 1969. On that date, Sergeant Hartley was assigned a combat essential mission to deliver urgently needed ammunition to Bu Dop. Heavy concentrations of hostile forces in the area and intense ground fire necessitated the approach and landing be made under fighter cover. Although the field came under mortar attack after landing, Sergeant Hartley and his crew successfully completed their mission by unloading their cargo and taking off under hostile fire. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed be Sergeant Hartley reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.