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 Joseph H. Gallant, Jr., United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a C-123 Loadmaster over hostile areas of Southeast Asia on the night of 21 January 1970. On that date, Sergeant Gallant flew an extremely hazardous mission of unarmed night reconnaissance and forward air control. He was a member of a forward air control team which directed a series of highly successful air strikes against targets in one of the most heavily defended areas in the theater. In spite of great personal risk from intense and accurate antiaircraft fire, his aircraft held directly over the target in order to provide continuous instructions to the aircraft under their control. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Gallant reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.