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 Captain Ronald Edward Catton (AFSN: 0-3023074/16422795), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Lead Solo for the 452d Air Demonstration Squadron “Thunderbirds”, Tactical Air Command, from 28 July 1962 to 31 December 1964. During this period, Captain Catton participated in one hundred and seventy-two official demonstrations to the pleasure of 7,714,400 spectators in the United States, Europe, and the Caribbean Islands. His consistently high degree of professional performance under considerable physical and mental stress over an extended period of time exemplified his outstanding proficiency and devotion to duty. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Catton reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.