The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat “V” to Captain Hardy Franklin LeBel (AFSN: FR-57292), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as a U-10 Pilot of the 1st Air Commando Squadron, Bien Hoa Air Base, South Vietnam, in action near Plei Me, Republic of Vietnam, on the night of 26 October 1965. On that date, while piloting a U-10 aircraft engaged in psychological warfare operations against Viet Cong forces attacking the Special Forces Camp at Plei Me, Captain LeBel came under fire from a Chinese 12.7-mm. anti-aircraft machine gun. Despite the great personal danger involved, Captain LeBel remained in the area, using his U-10 aircraft as a decoy until the hostile position was located and destroyed. He then again acted as a decoy to confirm that the gun had been silenced. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Captain LeBel 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 a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat “V” to Captain Hardy Franklin LeBel (AFSN: FR-57292), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as a U-10 Pilot of the 1st Air Commando Squadron, Bien Hoa Air Base, South Vietnam, in action near Dak Pek, Republic of Vietnam, on 27 January 1966. On that date, while flying a Psychological Warfare mission in an unarmed U-10 aircraft, Captain LeBel was called upon to search for a load of ammunition which had accidentally been dropped in the jungle near the Dak Pek Special Forces Camp. With complete disregard for his own personal safety, he flew into a hostile controlled area under extremely adverse weather conditions, located the lost munitions and, undeterred by hostile ground fire, led a friendly ground party to the scene. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Captain LeBel reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.