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 First Lieutenant Byron E. Hukee, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an A-1 Tactical Fighter Pilot in Southeast Asia on 13 June 1972. On that date, Lieutenant Hukee was on-scene commander for a search and rescue mission in an extremely hostile environment for a downed United States Army survivor. Despite the threat of anti-aircraft missiles and intense ground fire directed at his slow-moving aircraft, Lieutenant Hukee made repeated tree-top level passes to direct the safe and successful rescue of the downed crew member. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Fist Lieutenant Hukee 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 Fourth Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fifth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat “V” to First Lieutenant Byron E. Hukee, United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an A-1 Tactical Fighter Pilot in Southeast Asia on 12 May 1972. On that date, Lieutenant Hukee flew in support of a search and rescue mission attempting to recover the crewmember of a downed American aircraft located in unchartered territory 40 miles southwest of Hanoi, North Vietnam. Lieutenant Hukee repeatedly exposed his slow moving aircraft to the threat of hostile aircraft and gun positions to locate and protect the survivor of the fallen aircraft. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Hukee 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 Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat “V” to First Lieutenant Byron E. Hukee, United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an A-1 Pilot in Southeast Asia on 27 June 1972. On that date, Lieutenant Hukee flew his aging A-1 Skyraider into the hostile environment of North Vietnam 60 miles southwest of Hanoi to lead a search and rescue effort for downed American airmen. Disregarding the threat of hostile aircraft, Lieutenant Hukee found, protected, and directed the rescue of one crewmember plus provided information which led to the recovery of a second. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Hukee 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 First Lieutenant Byron E. Hukee, United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight in Southeast Asia on 20 May 1972. On that date, Lieutenant Hukee flew in support of an extremely hazardous and complex search and rescue mission attempting to rescue two downed crewmembers deep in North Vietnam. In spite of intense ground fire directed at his slow-moving aircraft, the constant threat of hostile aircraft and surface-to-air missiles, Lieutenant Hukee helped locate the survivor and provided protective fire and smoke screen for the vulnerable rescue helicopters. These conspicuous actions were instrumental in the successful rescue of a downed airman from advancing hostile search parties. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Hukee 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 First Lieutenant Byron E. Hukee, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an A-1 Tactical Fighter Pilot in Southeast Asia on 17 May 1972. On that date, Lieutenant Hukee was the wingman in a flight of A-1 Skyraiders supporting friendly troops engaged with hostile forces in northern Laos. Operating beneath low clouds which hid the tops of nearby hills, Lieutenant Hukee coolly attacked the unfriendly positions in his slow-moving aircraft, making numerous low-level ordnance deliveries, the result of which was the complete rout of the hostile forces. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by First Lieutenant Hukee reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.