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) Edward S. Szymanski (ASN: 0-766769), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in four successive missions over Germany from 9 through 14 February 1945. Lieutenant Szymanski brought great distinction to himself by outstanding airmanship and courage in the course of these missions by his daring bombing and strafing attacks along the Rhine River in which he destroyed fourteen locomotives and damaged an additional four. Despite extremely heavy anti-aircraft fire Lieutenant Szymanski continued his unrelenting attacks wreaking great destruction on the enemy’s transportation system and other installations. The superior pilotage and devotion to duty evidenced by Lieutenant Szymanski during this period were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army Air Forces.