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 Captain William A. Holley, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a B-52G Electronic Warfare Officer near Hanoi, North Viet Nam on 18 December 1972. On that day, while exposed to the most adverse concentration of surface-to-air missiles, anti-aircraft artillery fife, and air defense fighter aircraft threats encountered in the history of aerial warfare, Captain Holley performed his duties with outstanding skill, professional competence, and courage. By his timely detection of enemy threats and by virtue of his extraordinary judgment and leadership, Captain Holley’ s performance in the formation lead was a key factor in enabling the entire formation safely to strike and destroy the assigned target. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Holley reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.