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 William Hansen Talley (AFSN: AO-3027917/FR-54120), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 Thunderchief Pilot in Southeast Asia on 3 July 1969. On that date, Major Talley led a flight of four F-105’s in an attack against a well defended ammunition storage area. Despite adverse weather conditions, darkness, anti-aircraft artillery and automatic weapons fire, Major Talley led his flight in repeated attacks against this vital area, placing his ordnance exactly on target resulting in the silencing of an anti-aircraft artillery position, five large explosions, three medium explosions and numerous fires lasting hours afterward. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Major Talley 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 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat “V” to Lieutenant Colonel William Hansen Talley (AFSN: AO-3027917/FR-54120), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an F-105G pilot over Southeast Asia on 21 April 1972. On that day, Colonel Talley suppressed the hostile surface-to-air missile sites and radar controlled anti-aircraft artillery batteries surrounding a heavily defended coastal bridge in support of F-4 strikes against that strategic target. In a display of heroism of the highest order, Colonel Talley repeatedly attacked the surface-to-air missiles sites posing the greatest threat to the strike forces and although he had expended all of his ordnance, he remained in the target area, dodging the deadly missiles, permitting the strike force to attack their target and egress safely. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Colonel Talley reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.