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 Major Robert E. Wallace, Jr., United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight, as an HC-130P Rescue Crew Commander in Southeast Asia on 18 July 1967. On that date, Major Wallace performed the first emergency air-to-air refueling between an unarmed and highly vulnerable HG-130P aircraft and an HH-3E helicopter over unfriendly territory. Because loss of the helicopter was imminent due to fuel starvation, Major Wallace maneuvered his aircraft into cloud covered mountainous terrain, which was hostile held, and effected an uninterrupted refueling while leading the way between mountains and adverse weather to avoid unfriendly fire. Major Wallace, through his professional skill, directly contributed to saving the helicopter and the six personnel aboard from certain capture and probable death. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Major Wallace reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.