The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Gerald J. Chasko, United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Pilot of a jet aircraft during the attacks on Bach Long Vi Island, North Vietnam, on 29 March 1965. In the face of heavy anti-aircraft fire, Lieutenant Chasko made a direct hit on the target, which resulted in its complete destruction. His aircraft sustained numerous hits and suffered a hydraulic failure and serious structural damage, however, he skillfully guided his crippled plane to a safe recovery.