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 David Messner, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Forward Air Controller near Quang Tri, Republic of Vietnam, on 4 July 1971. On that date, while conducting a visual reconnaissance mission, Lieutenant Messner discovered an assembly point for hostile forces along a major infiltration route through the Demilitarized Zone. He subsequently directed several flights of tactical aircraft against the target area, resulting in seven bunkers destroyed, five secondary explosions and two road cuts. His precise direction of tactical fighters within that hostile aerial environment seriously limited the hostile force’s ability to conduct further infiltration through the area. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Messner reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.