The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Commander Loyd E. Newcomer, United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight in the performance of his duties while serving on board Air Development Squadron SIX (VX-6), on 3 December 1959. As aircraft commander of P2V-7 SKI-equipped aircraft Bureau Number B40437, Commander Newcomer flew from Naval Air Facility, McMurdo Sound, Antarctica to Wilkes Station, Antarctica, a distance of 1,170 nautical miles, landed , and evacuated a patient to McMurdo. The flight was conducted in the Antarctic over previously uncharted territory, and the landing was made on an unprepared snow surface, with no tower or crash facilities. There were no other known means by which the patient could have been evacuated at that time. Commander Newcomer was fully aware of the personal risks involved, and planned intelligently and thoroughly to reduce them to a minimum. His flight was of international importance, since the patient was an Australian national, his conduct, skillful airmanship courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.