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 Rodney D. Lester, United States Army, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a C-7A Aircraft Commander at Landing Zone English, Republic of Vietnam on the night of 14 February 1967. On that night, his exemplary courage and determination were instrumental in the success of a life-saving medical evacuation mission from Landing Zone English. A medical evacuation aircraft was stranded at English and Captain Lester volunteered after having already flown nine tiring hours, to land there and trade aircraft batteries in spite of the extreme hazards of low ceilings, poor visibility, intense hostile ground fire and only one thousand feet of poorly usable runway. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Lester reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.