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 Major Gale Albert Despiegler (AFSN: FR-3110032), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-4E Weapon Systems Officer near Hoi An, Republic of Vietnam, on 4 December 1971. On that date, Major Despiegler, under extremely adverse weather conditions, heavy automatic weapons fire and imposing terrain scrambled to aid friendly forces in a contact situation. In fifteen passes, Major Despiegler delivered his ordnance precisely on target and allowed the friendly forces to be safely extracted from the hostile location. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Major Despiegler reflect great credit upon himself and 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 a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major Gale Albert Despiegler (AFSN: FR-3110032), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a F-4E Weapon Systems Officer over Southeast Asia on 15 April 1972. On that date, Major Despiegler was Deputy Flight Lead of a four-ship armed reconnaissance flight into a heavily defended area of Southeast Asia. Despite poor weather conditions and intense anti-aircraft fire, Major Despiegler visually acquired five surface-to-air missiles fired at his flight and directed the other members of his flight to safety. While directing the members of his flight to safety he subjected himself to this lethal barrage of missiles. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Major Despiegler reflect great credit upon himself and 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 a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major Gale Albert Despiegler (AFSN: FR-3110032), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a F-4E Weapons System Officer over Southeast Asia on 26 December 1971. On that date, Major Despiegler attacked a transshipment storage area in North Vietnam which was being used to funnel supplies to hostile forces in South Vietnam. With a complete disregard for his personal safety Major Despiegler successfully outmaneuvered extremely heavy and accurate anti-aircraft fire as well as numerous surface-to-air missiles in order to destroy the storage area. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Major Despiegler reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.