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 Gerald E. Hallas, United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement in aerial flight as officers of night fighter squadrons. These officers themselves as pilots and radar observers of fighter type aircraft during the periods cited, flying both day and night missions. During their night missions they intercepted attacking enemy aircraft and strafed and bombed enemy railroad trains and truck convoys. Flying day fighter missions they attacked enemy installations, troop concentrations, lines of communications and supply dumps, inflicting heavy losses on the enemy. Fire from hostile aircraft and enemy ground guns were encountered frequently but they carried out their missions with aggressive courage. The outstanding accomplishments of these officers reflect credit upon themselves and upon the Army Air Forces.