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 First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Leonard E. Rippy (ASN: 0-418170), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving with the *** Transport Group, TENTH Air Force. During the period 25 August 1942 to 31 December 1942, Lieutenant Rippy, pilot, participated in more than fifty operational flights in unarmed, heavily loaded transport airplanes through the combat zones of Upper Assam, Burma and Southwest China, where enemy attack was probable and expected. These flights, requiring from three to five hours each, were frequently made on successive days over high, rugged, mountainous terrain, subject to icing conditions, at altitudes seldom reached during average flying, through weather requiring long periods of instrument flying over an area without adequate navigational aids. Undaunted by the hazards faced regularly and continuously, Lieutenant Rippy performed his duties in such a manner that the highest credit is reflected upon himself and the military forces of the United States.