The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross (Posthumously) to Commander Ernest Albert Stamm, United States Navy, for heroism while participating in aerial flight on 25 November 1968 with Reconnaissance Squadron FIVE, embarked in U.S.S. CONSTELLATION (CVA-64) during combat operations in Southeast Asia. As the pilot of an RA5C aircraft, Commander Stamm led a photographic mission over North Vietnam in support of a special reconnaissance program. In the face of a rapidly building anti-aircraft artillery barrage and continuous tracking by enemy fire control radars, he skillfully maneuvered his unarmed aircraft along the prescribed route to gain complete photographic coverage of the assigned objective areas. Commander Stamm’s aircraft was hit by enemy ground fire and immediately became uncontrollable, forcing him to eject into a hostile area. His professionalism, superb airmanship and steadfast courage were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.