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 First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Robert E. Simmon, United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while serving as lead bombardier of group and wing formations on heavy bombardment missions against the enemy. Lieutenant Simmon led the formations in destroying vital enemy installations at Zeitz, Germany, 16 August 1944, Brug, Czechoslovakia, 24 August 1944; and Stuttgart, Germany, 5 September 1944, although faced with the difficulties of intense anti-aircraft fire on each operation and adverse weather conditions on one occasion. The outstanding devotion to duty and exceptional bombing ability displayed by Lieutenant Simmon on these occasions reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.