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 Sydney S. Gash, United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in the Mediterranean and North African Theatres of operations during World War II. Showing a high order of courage, leadership, and professional skill, these gallant air crew members have distinguished themselves throughout many long and hazardous combat missions against the enemy despite severe and adverse weather conditions and enemy opposition by large numbers of fighter aircraft and intense, accurate and heavy anti-aircraft fire. Displaying great combat spirit and aggressiveness, these men have met, engaged and defeated the enemy regardless of the odds and in spite of the fact that at times their planes were so severely damaged that only by extraordinary skill and fortitude were they able to fight their way through to the objective and aid in the grave damage inflicted upon the enemy. By their heroism, skill and airmanship as shown throughout their combat careers, together with their intense devotion to duty during this period of intense combat operations, against the enemy, these men have upheld the highest traditions of the military service, thereby reflecting great credit upon themselves and the Armed Forces of the United States of America.