The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain John Dwain Cummings (MCSN: 0-83974), United States Marine Corps, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Naval Flight Officer with Marine Fighter/Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED TWENTY-TWO (VMFA-122), Marine Aircraft Group Eleven, FIRST Marine Aircraft Wing in connection with operations against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces in the Republic of Vietnam. On 24 February 1968, Captain Cummings launched as Bombardier/Navigator aboard an F-4 Phantom aircraft diverted to a strike mission against fortified Viet Cong positions south of DaNang. Despite a low overcast, rain showers and limited visibility in the designated area, he skillfully provided his pilot with flight clearance information and utilized the aircraft’s radar to navigate through the clouds to the mouth of the Hoi An River. After rendezvousing with the Tactical Air Controller (Airborne) over the target and receiving a briefing, the pilot commenced a series of strikes against the fortified enemy positions and Captain Cummings displayed exceptional professional skill in assisting the pilot in executing the runs at minimum altitude due to the low cloud cover. Despite hazardous mountain terrain and enemy fire, all ordnance was delivered with pinpoint accuracy, accounting for ten enemy confirmed killed, sixteen fortifications destroyed and eight structures damaged. Captain Cummings’ superior airmanship, technical skill and steadfast devotion to duty under extremely adverse conditions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.