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 Staff Sergeant J. W. Martin, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a C- 130 Flight Engineer on a classified mission in Southeast Asia on 12 February 1968. On that date, Sergeant Martin flew on an extremely hazardous combat mission during which his aircraft suffered severe battle damage from intense hostile ground fire. Sergeant Martin’s unsurpassed technical competence and professional military performance played a vital role in the safe return of both his crew and aircraft after overcoming an almost fatal conflagration that resulted from the battle damage. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Sergeant Martin reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.