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 T. Langford, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an EB-66 Navigator over Southeast Asia on 10 December 1971. On that date, while in support of a search and rescue mission into extremely hostile territory, his aircraft came under direct attack by numerous surface-to-air missile sites. In the ensuing evasive maneuvers, despite the clear and immediate threat posed by the hostile systems, Lieutenant Langford continually directed his aircraft away from the immediate threat and into an optimum position to continue electronic countermeasures and warning support for the rescue aircraft. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed Lieutenant Langford 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
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 Captain John T. Langford, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Navigator at Saigon, Vietnam, on 4 April 1975. On that date, Captain Langford was part of the crew of a United States Air Force C-5A which had been given the mission of evacuating United States civilian personnel and Vietnamese orphans and their escorts from Saigon to the United States. When the aircraft experienced a serious in-flight emergency, Captain Langford reacted with exemplary skill and outstanding airmanship in providing assistance to the Aircraft Commander in his efforts to get the aircraft on the ground. Although the airplane crashed, the efforts of the Pilot and crew prevented a total disaster and resulted in the saving of 176 lives. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Langford reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.