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), [then First Lieutenant] Thomas J. Flanagan, Jr., United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while serving as lead navigator operating special equipment for squadron formations on heavy bombardment missions against the enemy. Lieutenant Flanagan demonstrated exceptional proficiency in guiding his formations to the assigned targets in devastating attacks on Kusel/Siebelbingen, Germany, 6 January 1945, on Hamburg, Germany, 17 January 1945, and on Cottbus, Germany, 17 February 1945 despite concentrations of anti-aircraft fire on each mission. The courageous devotion to duty and expert navigational technique displayed by Lieutenant Flanagan on these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Army Air Forces.