The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major Thomas E. Archer (MCSN: 0-27518), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in action against the enemy as a member of a carrier-based Marine Attack Squadron in Korea. On 24 February 1953, Major Archer participated in the rescue of a downed Marine aviator who was surrounded by enemy troops deep in hostile territory. With complete disregard for his own safety, Major Archer conducted a series of daring minimum altitude strafing assaults, intentionally drawing the heavy hostile fire away from the downed pilot. Displaying superb airmanship, he skillfully maneuvered his aircraft at low level through the intense and accurate barrages of hostile fire and succeeded on several occasions, in completely suppressing all ground fire directed at the downed aviator. Ignoring the increasingly accurate fire that was bursting all around his aircraft, Major Archer repeatedly strafed the enemy positions and although dangerously low on fuel, he continued these assaults with such effectiveness that a rescue helicopter was allowed to effect a successful pick-up less than two hours after the pilot had crash landed deep in enemy territory. Major Archer’s heroic actions in subjecting himself repeatedly to enemy fire and his exemplary initiative were responsible for the success of a mission that saved the life of a fellow Marine and caused heavy enemy casualties. His courageous conduct, superb airmanship and steadfast devotion to duty throughout reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.