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 Lieutenant Colonel John Stewart Finlay, III (AFSN: 0-80268), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-4D Aircraft Commander in Southeast Asia on 26 April 1968. On that date, Colonel Finlay was flight leader of two F-4D’s escorting a C-130 cargo aircraft into the A Shau Valley. At great risk to himself, Colonel Finlay descended into the cloud shrouded mountain valley to assist the C-130 which was struck by anti-aircraft fire and subsequently crashed. To assist in rescue efforts, Colonel Finlay remained at extremely low altitude in the face of continuous hostile fire until a low fuel state forced his withdrawal. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Colonel Finlay 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 to Lieutenant Colonel John Stewart Finlay, III (AFSN: 0-80268), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-4D Aircraft Commander in Southeast Asia on 6 March 1968. On that date, Colonel Finlay struck a heavily defended hostile storage area at the request of a forward air controller. Although receiving heavy anti-aircraft reaction, Colonel Finlay made multiple attacks, placing his ordnance on target and destroying a major portion of stockpiled trucks and ammunition. His courageous and skillful application of tactical airpower contributed significantly to the allied effort to stem the flow of supplies to the south. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Colonel Finlay reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.