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 Major William Albert Gericke, Jr., United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an AC-119G Navigator in Southeast Asia on 15 November 1970. On that date, Major Gericke’s gunship was directed to aid a Forward Air Controller in the defense of a friendly airfield. Due to Major Gericke’s rapid assessment of the situation, an immediate attack of the hostile mortar positions was initiated upon arrival at the friendly location. During delivery of the suppression fire, the gunship became the target of hostile automatic weapons fire. Major Gericke quickly located the position of these camouflaged installations and directed the aircraft into firing position about these sites. The sustained firepower of the gunship resulted in the destruction of five hostile automatic weapons sites and two casualties to the hostile forces, in addition to causing the cessation of the attack upon the friendly airfield. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Major Gericke reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.