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 First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Norman E. Dybdahl, United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while serving as Navigator of a B-17 airplane on bombing missions over Germany, 5 November 1944, 25 November 1944, and 28 January 1945. On these occasions Lieutenant Dybdahl evinced exceptional navigational proficiency. On 5 November 1944 two engines of the aircraft became inoperative. Adroitly avoiding flak areas, Lieutenant Dybdahl guided the airplane over the target where bombs were released in a concentrated pattern, and the return flight was then successfully accomplished. On 28 January 1945 heavy flak was encountered on the bomb run. Although the airplane was severely damaged and was losing altitude rapidly, Lieutenant Dybdahl, without the aid of many vital navigational instruments, directed the aircraft to an emergency airfield in friendly territory. The courage, coolness and skill displayed by this officer on these operations reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.