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 First Lieutenant John Richard Terry, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an A-26 Attack Aircraft Navigator the 609th Special Operations Squadron, Nakhon Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in action in Southeast Asia on 20 July 1969. On that date Lieutenant Terry made repeated low level dive bombing and strafing passes against numerous hostile anti-aircraft positions, during daylight, despite very hazardous terrain and adverse weather. As a result, one military structure and one mortar position were destroyed with an unknown number of hostile forces killed by air, three antiaircraft guns silenced, five medium secondary explosions and four medium secondary fires. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Terry reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.
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Awards Received
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Silver Star
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
First LieutenantBatallion:
609th Special Operations SquadronDivision:
Nakhon Royal Thai Air Force Base, ThailandAction Date:
March 15, 1969
Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Order G-1801 (May 8, 1969)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 First Lieutenant John Richard Terry, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an A-26 Attack Aircraft Navigator of the 609th Special Operations Squadron, Nakhon Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in action in Southeast Asia on 15 March 1969. On that night, Lieutenant Terry voluntarily made repeated low level strikes against a heavily defended hostile supply convoy. Working in rugged karst formations, he aggressively pressed his attack despite a continuous barrage of medium and heavy antiaircraft artillery fire. Through his determination he succeeded in destroying two trucks, probably destroying two more, silencing one gun, causing eight secondary fires and over five-hundred secondary explosions. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Terry reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
First LieutenantBatallion:
609th Special Operations SquadronDivision:
Nakhon Royal Thai Air Force Base, ThailandAction Date:
January 11, 1969
Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Order G-930 (March 10, 1969)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant John Richard Terry, United States Air Force, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force while serving with the 609th Special Operations Squadron, Nakhon Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in action in Southeast Asia on 11 January 1969. On that date, Lieutenant Terry, an A-26 Attack Aircraft Navigator, attacked and destroyed a convoy of hostile vehicles in a heavily defended area. Despite intense and accurately directed hostile fire, he elected to remain in the area, constantly exposing himself to the antiaircraft artillery with each delivery. Disregarding his own personal safety, he voluntarily continued the attack until the convoy was destroyed and the hostile forces had suffered severe damage to logistics equipment. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Lieutenant Terry has reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.