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 Major John E. Cahoon, Jr., United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an AC-130 gunship Aircraft Commander over Southeast Asia on 19 April 1969. On that date, while on a night armed reconnaissance mission over heavily defended supply routes used in support of opposing forces operating in the Republic of Vietnam, Major Cahoon was directly responsible for destroying 13 hostile supply vehicles and inflicting damage to 2 others. He accomplished this feat by judicious application of proper tactics while being continuously subjected to heavy and accurate anti-aircraft fire which put his life in constant danger. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Major Cahoon reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.