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 Houston L. Hyman, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a C-123 Loadmaster in the Republic of Vietnam on 4 December 1967. On that date, Sergeant Hyman had left inter-phone to prepare his cargo for speed off-loading. His first indication of the attack came when he opened the cargo door and saw shell impacting behind the aircraft. Without hesitation, Sergeant Hyman secured the doors and began tightening the loosened cargo tie-down devices in preparation for flight. As shells were exploding closer and closer to the aircraft, Sergeant Hyman worked steadily without assistance and with the cool discipline of a seasoned professional. As the aircraft moved down the runway, Sergeant Hyman continued to make the load secure and used pure physical force to ascertain that it would not shift during the take-off phase. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Sergeant Hyman reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.