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 Benjamin Mendez, Colombian Army, for extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight. Between the dates of 23 November and 30 December 1928, Capitan Mendez piloted an airplane from New York City to Qiradot, Colombia a distance of 4,600 miles. By his skill, resourcefulness and courage, Capitan Mendez linked the continents of North America and South America by an aerial journey and thus reflected great credit on himself and his countrymen.