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 William L. Withuhn, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an AC-119G Navigator near Tuy Hoa City, Republic of Vietnam, on 7 September 1969. On that date, while providing illumination for friendly ground forces, Captain Withuhn’s gunship experienced a flare launcher malfunction which resulted in a hung flare. Captain Withuhn reached into the slipstream to break the lanyard which attached the sparking flare to the aircraft. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Withuhn reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.