The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross (Posthumously) to Major Benjamin Byrd Newsom (AFSN: AO-2217686), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 Electronic Warfare Officer with the 354th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in action near Phuc Yen, North Vietnam on 23 July 1966. On that date, Major Newsom was in the lead aircraft of a four F-105 flight assigned to patrol the heavily defended Red River Delta in search of hostile surface-to-air missile sites. Despite encountering adverse weather and heavy hostile defenses, Major Newsom fearlessly pressed the attack with complete disregard for his own personal safety. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Major Newsom reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.