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 John C. Ratliff, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Pararescue Specialist on an HH-53 Rescue Helicopter deep within North Vietnam on 23 March 1971. On that date, Sergeant Ratliff’s outstanding airmanship and sound technical skill, displayed under extremely hazardous conditions, culminated in the rescue of two United States Air Force aircrewmen from certain death or capture by hostile armed forces. With complete disregard for his own personal safety, braving the threat of anti-aircraft artillery, surface-to-air missiles, fighter-interceptor aircraft, to penetrating into North Vietnam, Sergeant Ratliff exposed himself to man his gun position throughout the rescue effort, insuring the safe rescue of the two survivors. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Sergeant Ratliff reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.