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 Melissa J. May, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as F-16CJ Pilot, 14th Fighter Squadron, 363d Expeditionary Operations Group, 363d Air Expeditionary Wing, Prince Sultan Air Base, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia over Bagdad, Iraq on 24 March 2003. On that date, Captain May exhibited outstanding airmanship and absolute dedication to the mission under extremely hazardous conditions. Captain May, flying a suppression of enemy air defenses mission, provided escort for F-18 and F14 strike aircraft hitting targets in eastern Baghdad and later supported her own flight’s attack against an SA-3 surface-to-air missile in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Extremely adverse weather in the target area forced Captain May to accept great risk and descend into the heart of the anti-aircraft artillery and tactical surface-to-air missile threat envelope where she skillfully defended against numerous volleys of heavy anti-aircraft artillery and guided and ballistic surface-to-air missiles. Despite the intense surface fire and poor weather, Captain May defended the strikers by expertly employing an AGM-88 high-speed anti-radiation missile. After successfully protecting the strike package, Captain May without hesitation assumed the role of element lead when the four-ship was tasked to destroy a Low Blow SA-3 targeting radar in southeastern Baghdad. Captain May executed flawlessly by navigating her element to support the rest of the formation and by once again employing a perfectly timed AGM-88. In so doing, Captain May played an integral part in the first 14th Fighter Squadron flight to drop ordnance in the war and the severe weather’s first confirmed surface-to-air missile kill. Captain May’s courage, aggressiveness, and skillful tactical execution under extremely dangerous circumstances directly resulted in successful execution of a Navy strike package and destruction of an Iraq surface-to-air missile site. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Captain May reflect great credit upon herself and the United States Air Force.