The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain (Corps of Engineers) Claude E. Hargett, United States Army, for extraordinary achievement in connection with aerial flight of a hazardous nature near Bridgeport, Connecticut during the period 1 June to 12 July 1956. Willingly and with full knowledge of the hazards involved in such flight, Captain Hargett, piloting the Sikorsky H-34 helicopter established new world speed records for 100 kilometers, 500 kilometers, and 1,000 kilometers closed circuit courses. These records were 141.9 miles per hour, 136 miles per hour and 132.6 miles per hour respectively. Captain Hargett was responsible for developing the techniques to obtain the maximum speed from a standard Army H-34 helicopter; to achieve and maintain high speeds at low altitudes for long periods over an exact flight path; and extending the range of the helicopter to permit completion of 1,000 kilometers at high sustained speeds. Captain Hargett’s superb pilot ability and meticulous flight planning, together with his stamina and cool execution of his duties during extended low altitude flight over land and water, resulted in enhancing the Army’s tactical mobility and capability to accomplish its assigned missions. The meritorious achievement of Captain Hargett while in the performance of development and test flights to gain data upon which to base future aircraft engineering and production requirements reflects great credit upon himself and the United States Army.