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 Technical Sergeant Lawrence Martinez, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Radio Operator aboard an HC-130P aircraft over hostile territory on 6 December 1968. On that date, Sergeant Martinez played a vital role in the successful recovery of a downed pilot. Sergeant Martinez’s skill in maintaining communications with the aircraft and ground stations concerned and his unerring ability to keep abreast of the complicated and rapidly changing situation was of paramount importance to the success of the mission. Because of his actions in this mission, the downed pilot was saved from probable capture and possible death. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Sergeant Martinez reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.