Navy Federal Credit Union

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain (Air Corps) Albert W. Stevens, U.S. Army Air Corps, for extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight as commander and scientific observer of the National Geographic Society Army Air Corps Stratosphere Balloon Flight which started from the vicinity of Rapid City, South Dakota on 11 November 1935, ascended to the greatest height ever attained by men, and successfully landed near White Lake, South Dakota, with the scientific equipment and the valuable records it contained intact. Capitan Stevens maintained a steadfastness of purpose, thoroughness of preparation, and professional attainments of the highest character in the execution of this flight. To his scientific knowledge may be attributed in large measure the acquisition of valuable data regarding the realm of the stratosphere.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Captain (Air Corps)

    Action Date:

    July 28, 1934

    War Department, General Orders No. 3 (1935)

    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 Captain (Air Corps) Albert W. Stevens, U.S. Army Air Corps, for extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight. Capitan Stevens was scientific observer of the National Geographic Society Army Air Corps Stratosphere Balloon Flight, which took off from the vicinity of Rapid City, South Dakota, on 28 July 1934 and landed near Loomis, Nebraska, that same date. He assisted in piloting the balloon into the stratosphere to an altitude of 60,613 feet, and in making continuous scientific observations en route, and when the balloon became disabled through circumstances beyond human control, did attempt, under most adverse and hazardous conditions to land successfully the disabled aircraft in order to preserve the scientific records that had been obtained. By the exercise of cool judgment and foresight under these conditions, certain scientific records were saved and the disabled aircraft was abandoned only when it was clearly evident that not to do so would prove disastrous to human life.