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 lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Colonel William Walter Conlee (AFSN: AO-3083793), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a B-52 Electronics Warfare Officer of the 307th Strategic Wing, U-Tapao Airfield, Thailand, on 18 December 1972. On that date, Lieutenant Colonel Conlee while flying on a high priority bombing mission against a vital military target in North Vietnam had to penetrate intense and sophisticated hostile defenses to deliver his ordnance to the target. Although numerous surface-to-air missiles were launched at his aircraft, Lieutenant Colonel Conlee successfully countered and neutralized those threats enabling his crew to release their ordnance and safely egress from the high threat area. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Colonel Conlee reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.

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 Lieutenant Colonel William Walter Conlee (AFSN: AO-3083793), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an EB-66 Electronics Warfare Officer, in action against the enemy over Southeast Asia on 29 December 1970. On that date, while flying in an unarmed electronic countermeasures aircraft, he was tasked to provide vital support for an extremely important fighter strike mission. Despite numerous firings by heavy antiaircraft artillery and the threat of surface-to-air missile engagement, Colonel Conlee continued to render support until all fighter aircraft had safely egressed the target area. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Colonel Conlee reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.