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 (Field Artillery) Herbert B. M. Sears (ASN: 0-515506), United States Army, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on 17 December 1944 in Belgium. Upon learning that elements of a strong German force threatened to overrun the airstrip on which his liaison aircraft was based, Lieutenant Sears proceeded immediately to the area, and, upon arrival, observed tanks firing upon his plane and upon others nearby. While subjected to the intense machine gun fire of the tanks, he crossed the field, mounted his unarmed and unarmored plane, maneuvered it across the strip, and skillfully flew it through artillery air bursts to safety. By his valor, flying skill, and heroism, Lieutenant Sears exemplified the highest traditions of the armed forces.