AWARDED DFC: 2
CONFLICT/SPACE FLIGHT/EVENT:  WWII, Korea
MODEL:  KC-135

Citation:  1.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant Lewis E. Kesterson for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight against the enemy in the Mediterranean Theatre of Operations. Throughout many long and hazardous combat missions against vital strategic targets deep in enemy-occupied territory, though confronted by heavy enemy opposition from highly aggressive enemy fighters and intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire, First Lieutenant Kesterson has consistently displayed outstanding courage, aggressiveness and intense devotion to duty throughout all engagements. With his aircraft frequently severely damaged by heavy enemy fire, he has courageously remained at his station, battling his way through to his targets to aid materially in the utter destruction of vitally important enemy installations and supplies. Heedless of severe and adverse weather conditions encountered over rugged mountainous terrain and surmounting many other major obstacles that faced him during these hazardous missions, First Lieutenant Kesterson has gallantly engaged, fought and defeated the enemy with complete disregard for his personal safety and against overwhelming odds. The conspicuous and extraordinary achievements throughout these many missions against the enemy have been of inestimable value to successful combat operations and have reflected great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States of America.

2.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major Lewis E. Kesterson. Major Lewis E. Kesterson distinguished himself by extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on 9 November 1957. On that date, Major Kesterson was Project Test Pilot of a highly instrumented KC-135 aircraft which developed serious malfunction after two hours of flight. Although the longitudinal and directional controls of his aircraft were locked, Major Kesterson demonstrated outstanding airmanship in controlling the aircraft with the use of power and spoilers. Discovering a block of ice covering all cables and pulleys in the tail section, Major Kesterson directed its removal and, after a seven-hour flight, accomplished a successful landing. The outstanding skill, ingenuity and proficiency displayed by Major Kesterson in saving a highly instrumented test aircraft reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.