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 Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Thatcher Mounts (AFSN: 0-1910994), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Pilot of an RF-101 reconnaissance jet aircraft over Southeast Asia on 9 April 1970. On that date, Colonel Mounts piloted his unarmed reconnaissance aircraft over a heavily defended area and acquired photographic intelligence vital to the success of the United States Armed Forces in Southeast Asia. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Colonel Mounts reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.