The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Petty Officer Kerry R. Bignall, United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Combat Air Crewman while flying combat missions with Observation Squadron Sixty-seven during operations against Viet Cong and North Vietnamese Regular Units in the Republic of Vietnam while in direct support of United States Army and Marine ground forces in close contact with the enemy from 15 November 1967 to 2 July 1968. Petty Officer Bignall’s coolness under fire and undaunted courage allowed his Aircraft to complete its assigned missions over the Ho Chi Minh Trail and at the Siege of the Marines at Khe Sanh. His ability to place devastating fire in close on the enemy protected his crew and aircraft resulting in the successful completion of these missions. Petty Officer Bignall contributed materially to the success of U.S. operations in the Republic of Vietnam and aided in saving of countless lives of U.S. and allied servicemen. By his duty, Petty Officer Bignall reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.