The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Captain John M. Gillespie, III, United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force while serving with Detachment 12, 40th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron, Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, PACIFIC Air Forces, in action in Southeast Asia on 18 November 1972. On that date, Captain Gillespie flew his HH-53C Rescue Helicopter deep into North Vietnam to rescue two downed American aircrew members. His superior ability and determination, while braving the intense ground fire being directed at his vulnerable aircraft enabled him to rescue two downed aircrew members from certain death or capture by hostile North Vietnamese forces. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Captain Gillespie has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.