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 (Air Corps) Elmer H. Reinhart, United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in operations against the Ploesti Oil Refineries of Romania on 1 August 1943. These officers and enlisted men took part in the longest attack ever undertaken by so large a number of B-24 type aircraft. During the arduous operations, made extremely hazardous because the attack was made from a very low level and because the target area was one of the strongest defended areas in Europe, bristling with anti-aircraft and machine-fun fire and protected by many fighter craft, these participants displayed such heroic perseverance, technical skill and valiant effort, that the mission met with great success. Their achievement brought high honor to the Army Air Forces.