The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain John A. Cherrey, United States Air Force, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in military operations against an armed enemy of the United States as Pilot of an A-10 Warthog of the 81st Fighter Squadron, 40th Air Expeditionary Group, in action near Novi Sad, Serbia, from 27 March 1999 to 28 March 1999. During this period, as overall Combat Search and Rescue Task Force Mission Commander and Sandy flight lead, Captain Cherrey courageously and repeatedly risked his life to rescue a fellow American pilot, shot down over hostile Serbian territory. With minimal time for mission planning, Captain Cherrey flew into the teeth of the Serbian air defenses, battling constant communication jamming and intrusion, deteriorating weather, repeated illumination by deadly SA-6 surface-to-air missile systems, and the threat from enemy aircraft only a few miles from the downed pilot’s location. At extreme risk to his life, Captain Cherrey overflew unknown Serbian territory, fully exposed to surface-to-air threats, until he positively identified the pilot and his location. Captain Cherrey then orchestrated a plan to bring the rescue helicopters to the pilot’s position, while providing them maximum protection. He deceived enemy radar and concealed the intended pickup site by maneuvering his formation away from the downed pilot’s position and into the SA-3 and SA-6 lethal ranges, valiantly risking his life. Now critically low on fuel, Captain Cherrey refused to abandon his post. With impeccable courage, he stayed in an increasingly aggressive environment to be near the downed pilot until minutes before his rescue. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Captain Cherrey has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.