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 Technical Sergeant Elmer M. Crouch, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an AC-47 Flight Engineer near Duc Lap, Republic of Vietnam on 26 August 1968. On that date, Sergeant Crouch and crew were diverted from airborne alert to defend the vital Duc Lap Special Forces Camp and Military Assistance Command Vietnam Compound which are strategically located within six miles of the Cambodian border. These positions were being exposed to the infiltration of an overwhelming force estimated at two hostile regiments. The hostile anti-aircraft fire was the heaviest since Khe Sanh. Only by the firepower of the AC-47 on the perimeter of the camps was the hostile force repelled, and the friendly encampments were saved. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Sergeant Crouch reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.