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 Sergeant James D. Long (ASN: R-29251), U.S. Army Air Corps, for extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight. As assistant chief mechanic, mechanic and observer for the pilot whom he accompanied, of the Alaskan Flying Expedition in a flight from Mitchel Field, New York, to Nome, Alaska, and return, from 15 July to 20 October 1920, Sergeant Long exhibited a splendid spirit of cooperation, perseverance, fortitude, courage, and skill, which aided materially in the successful completion of this pioneer flight to Alaska.