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 Henry L. Zeybel (AFSN: FR-60872), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an AC-130 Gunship Fire Control Officer in Laos on 18 January 1971. On that date, while on a night armed reconnaissance mission over heavily defended hostile supply routes, he directly assisted in the damage or destruction of 16 hostile supply vehicles, the ignition of five secondary fires and 13 secondary explosions. Despite the intense antiaircraft fire and the violent evasive maneuvers, he analyzed the gunship’s firing geometry, evaluated the ballistic pattern of the guns and continuously applied precise and accurate corrective measures. In addition, he serviced and operated the bomb damage assessment video recorder, thus assuring a record of the activity. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Major Zeybel reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.



