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 Captain Timothy Robert Ayres, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-4D Aircraft Commander in Southeast Asia on 17 January 1972. On that date, Captain Ayres flew a laser guided bombing system illuminator mission against a vital interdiction point and bulldozer located along a hostile forces supply route. Despite intense and accurate antiaircraft fire directed at his aircraft, Captain Ayres was forced to make numerous low level passes on the target due to the extremely poor visibility in the area. His proper acquisition and accurate illumination of the target resulted in three important road cuts and one bulldozer destroyed with the expenditure of only three laser guided pieces of ordnance. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Ayres reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Forces.




