The President of the United States of America, authorized by Title 10, Section 8742, United States Code, takes pleasure in presenting the Air Force Cross to Major John M. Rowan (AFSN: 0-1911680), United States Air Force, for extraordinary heroism in military operations against an opposing armed force while serving as Pilot of an F-105 Thunderchief of the 469th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 388th Tactical Fighter Wing, Korat Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, in action against the Thai Nguyen power plant in North Vietnam on 19 March 1967. On that date, Major Rowan made United States Air Force history by successfully leading a flight of three F-105 Thunderchiefs on an unprecedented and daring low-level, high-speed attack on a vital thermal power plant, deep in North Vietnam. This tactic of weapons delivery was an original concept formulated and submitted by Major Rowan to higher headquarters. Despite extremely hazardous flying conditions consisting of extremely low clouds and poor visibility, an intense barrage of anti-aircraft artillery fire over the target, and a near miss by an SA-2 surface-to-air missile, Major Rowan heroically led his flight through rugged mountainous terrain to accomplish this highly significant mission. Through his extraordinary heroism, superb airmanship, and aggressiveness in the face of hostile forces, Major Rowan reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Awards Received
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Silver Star
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
MajorBatallion:
469th Tactical Fighter SquadronRegiment:
388th Tactical Fighter WingDivision:
Korat Royal Thai Air Base, ThailandAction Date:
June 3, 1968
Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Order G-1327 (August 24, 1967)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Major John M. Rowan (AFSN: 0-1911680), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force over North Vietnam on 3 June 1967. On that date, Major Rowan led a flight of F-105 Thunderchiefs against a vital target in the most hostile environment of the Hanoi area. After releasing his bombs, Major Rowan sighted three hostile aircraft preparing for an attack on friendly aircraft in the area. With great daring and outstanding aerial skill he led his flight in an attack that resulted in two hostile aircraft being destroyed. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Major Rowan has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
MajorBatallion:
469th Tactical Fighter SquadronRegiment:
388th Tactical Fighter WingDivision:
Korat Royal Thai Air Base, ThailandAction Date:
Vietnam War
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major John M. Rowan (AFSN: 0-1911680), United States Air Force, was awarded a Fourth Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fifth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in Southeast Asia.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
First LieutenantBatallion:
69th Fighter Bomber SquadronRegiment:
58th Fighter Bomber GroupDivision:
5th Air ForceAction Date:
May 25, 1952
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 John M. Rowan (AFSN: 0-1911680), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on 25 May 1952 in Korea. As wingman in a flight of four F-84 aircraft, 69th Fighter Bomber Squadron, 58th Fighter Bomber Group, FIFTH Air Force, Lieutenant Rowan displayed exceptional airmanship when he accompanied his flight through marginal weather to the target near Tansan-Dwog, Korea, where he attacked and severed the enemy rail line. Following this attack on reconnaissance south of Kangyu they spotted a convoy of twenty trucks. The flight immediately carried out a series of devastating strafing runs on these trucks in which Lieutenant Rowan destroyed one and damaged another leaving the target only when a critical fuel shortage made it necessary. As a result of this mission the enemy’s rail lines were severed and he was denied trucks vital to his transportation system. Through his skill, courage, and devotion to duty, Lieutenant Rowan has brought great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
MajorBatallion:
469th Tactical Fighter SquadronRegiment:
388th Tactical Fighter WingDivision:
Korat Royal Thai Air Base, ThailandAction Date:
April 26, 1967
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 addition to a previously awarded Silver Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Seventh Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major John M. Rowan (AFSN: 0-1911680), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on 26 April 1967. On that date, Major Rowan was a member of a flight of F-105 Thunderchiefs that attacked the largest railroad car repair facility in North Vietnam. In spite of intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire and surface-to-air missile launches, Major Rowan successfully executed his attack and destroyed the target. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Major Rowan reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
MajorBatallion:
469th Tactical Fighter SquadronRegiment:
388th Tactical Fighter WingDivision:
Korat Royal Thai Air Base, ThailandAction Date:
November 8, 1966
Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Orders No. G-533 (April 12, 1967)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major John M. Rowan (AFSN: 0-1911680), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 Pilot over North Vietnam on 8 November 1966. On that date, Major Rowan was a member of a flight of F-105 Thunderchiefs assigned the vital role of flak suppression to prepare the way for the strike flights. Their target was the heavily defended and very important Bac Le Railroad Yard on the northwest rail line, deep in North Vietnam. Despite adverse weather, exceptionally heavy target defenses, and several SA-2 surface-to-air missile launches, he released all of his ordnance directly on the target. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Major Rowan reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: First Lieutenant John M. Rowan (AFSN: 0-1911680), United States Air Force, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
MajorBatallion:
469th Tactical Fighter SquadronRegiment:
388th Tactical Fighter WingDivision:
Korat Royal Thai Air Base, ThailandAction Date:
Vietnam War
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major John M. Rowan (AFSN: 0-1911680), United States Air Force, was awarded a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in Southeast Asia.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
MajorBatallion:
469th Tactical Fighter SquadronRegiment:
388th Tactical Fighter WingDivision:
Korat Royal Thai Air Base, ThailandAction Date:
April 29, 1967
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Silver Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Sixth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat “V” to Major John M. Rowan (AFSN: 0-1911680), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 Pilot near Hanoi, North Vietnam on 29 April 1967. On that date, Major Rowan was a member of a flight of four F-105 Thunderchiefs assigned to destroy a critical target on the outskirts of Hanoi. Despite intense anti-aircraft fire and extensive MiG interceptor activity, Major Rowan, with no regard for his own personal safety, executed a perfect attack that devastated the target. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Major Rowan reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.