The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Charles J. Smith (ASN: 0-812163), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on 13 October 1944. While he was serving as Pilot of an F-6 type aircraft Lieutenant Smith participated in a difficult photographic mission over two railway tunnels in the vicinity of Mayon, Germany. Flying at an extremely low altitude and although vulnerable to a withering crossfire from anti-aircraft installations, Lieutenant Smith nevertheless flew a straight and level course photographing the tunnel entrances, and returned to base with an excellent coverage of the objective. The superior technical skill, aerial proficiency, and devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Smith on this occasion reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Army Air Forces.