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 with Combat “V” to Captain David L. Tucker (AFSN: FR-66238), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 Strike Pilot over North Vietnam on 17 November 1967. On that date Captain Tucker was flight leader in a strike force directed to attack a previously un-stuck target in the most highly defended area in North Vietnam. Despite a smaller than normal force, poor visibility in the target area, numerous surface-to-air missile launches and extremely heavy flak, Captain Tucker led his flight on a successful strike. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Captain Tucker reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Awards Received
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Orders G-117 (January 13, 1968)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 Captain David L. Tucker (AFSN: FR-66238), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 Pilot over North Vietnam on 26 September 1967. On that date, Captain tucker was flying in the lead bomb flight of a strike force executed against an important and heavily defended rail yard and railroad bridge complex. The force was persistently engaged by hostile fighters prior to reaching their target, but Captain Tucker provided such timely warnings that the strike force engaged them without damage. Captain Tucker then proceeded with his lone flight deep into hostile territory and dropped his ordnance precisely on target. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Tucker reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Order G-1799 (June 18, 1968)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 Captain David L. Tucker (AFSN: FR-66238), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 Pilot over North Vietnam on 15 December 1967. On that date, Captain Tucker was flying lead in a flight of F-105 Thunderchiefs assigned to strike a railway and highway bridge deep in the heart of North Vietnam. Despite intense and accurate hostile anti-aircraft fire, surface-to-air missiles, and MiG threats, Captain Tucker proceeded with his attack at extremely low level. The tremendous success of this strike mission in the face of heavy hostilities, with no loss to the flight, is a tribute to the aggressiveness and skill of Captain Tucker. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Tucker reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Silver Star
Headquarters, 7th Air Force (PACAF), Special Order G-1552 (May 25, 1968)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Captain David L. Tucker (AFSN: FR-66238), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force on 17 December 1967. On that date, Captain Tucker lead a force of twenty-eight aircraft against a heavily defended airfield in North Vietnam. Upon entering North Vietnam, Captain Tucker was hampered by extremely poor visibility and continued harassment by MiGs but was able to lead the force precisely to target, provide the force with outstanding flak suppression, and return to the target area a second time to help a lone aircraft. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Captain Tucker has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Silver Star
Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Order G-624 (1968)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain David L. Tucker (AFSN: FR-66238), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as the Pilot of a Republic F-105 Thunderchief fighter aircraft over North Vietnam on 27 October 1967. Captain Tucker repeatedly exposed himself to extremely intense anti-aircraft fire, numerous surface-to-air missile launches and air attacks by MiG interceptors when he remained in his target area to mark the location of a downed pilot and then turned back again to escort another disabled aircraft out of the hostile environment. His courageous actions were directly responsible for the safe recovery of the disabled aircraft. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Captain Tucker has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.