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) Ernest C. Ford, United States Army Air Forces, for heroism in flight and exceptional and outstanding accomplishment in the face of great danger above and beyond the line of duty during the period of 24 July 1943 to 29 September 1943. These operations consisted of over fifty missions including dropping supplies and transporting troops to advanced positions. These flights involved flying at low altitudes over mountainous terrain under adverse weather conditions in an unarmed transport airplane and often necessitated landing within a few miles of enemy bases.