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 Captain Michael P. Cooper, United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as Pilot of an F-105 aircraft over North Vietnam on 31 October 1965. On that date, Captain Cooper flew with a force of F-105 Thunderchiefs in a Hunter-Killer mission against Surface-to-air missile (SAM) sites located deep within hostile territory. Penetrating the target defenses on a low level high speed run, Captain Cooper encountered withering ground fire and missiles as he resolutely pressed the attack and dropped his bombs into the heart of the target complex. The accomplishment of this remarkable mission in the face of overwhelming odds was due in large measure to Captain Cooper’s professional skill and aggressiveness. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Captain Cooper reflect great credit upon himself and 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 with Combat “V” to Captain Michael P. Cooper, United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 Pilot over the Republic of Vietnam on 5 October 1965. On that date, Captain Cooper participated in a mission to destroy a vital bridge complex deep within hostile territory. Penetrating perimeter defenses on a low level high speed run, Captain Cooper courageously braved heavy anti-aircraft fire and surface-to-air missiles detonating at low level to skillfully execute a weapons approach and achieved pin-point bombing which figured prominently in the total destruction of the assigned target. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Captain Cooper reflect great credit upon himself and 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 Lieutenant Colonel Michael P. Cooper, United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an F-4D Aircraft Commander over hostile territory on 8 May 1972. On that date Colonel Cooper participated in a flight of four F-4D Tactical Fighters on a mission to provide allied aircraft that were striking targets deep in the heart of hostile territory with protection from enemy interceptors. Disregarding his own personal safety, Colonel Cooper aggressively engaged a superior number of hostile aircraft and greatly aided the flight leader who destroyed one of the enemy interceptors. The remaining hostile aircraft then broke off their attack, allowing the friendly aircraft to strike the hostile targets without opposition. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Colonel Cooper reflect great credit upon himself and 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 Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Colonel Michael P. Cooper, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-4D Aircraft Commander over hostile territory on 14 April 1972. On that date, Colonel Cooper led a flight of four F-4D Tactical Fighters that struck a large hostile petroleum storage area. Despite the hazards of ordnance delivery in the immediate area of hostile aircraft and surface-to-air missile sites, Colonel Cooper’s outstanding airmanship and leadership resulted in the destruction of this important target complex. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Colonel Cooper reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.