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 Second Lieutenant (Air Corps) Edward R. Carlson (ASN: 0-818594), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as Co-Pilot of a B-17 airplane on many heavy bombardment missions over German occupied Continental Europe during World War II. In skillfully aiding the pilot of his aircraft, Lieutenant Carlson has materially contributed to the success of numerous assaults against the enemy’s war machine. The courage and technical proficiency displayed by Lieutenant Carlson on all these occasions are in keeping with the highest traditions of the Army Air Forces of the United States.