The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain William Glen Byrns, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-4D Aircraft Commander in Southeast Asia on 1 April 1972. On that date, despite adverse weather conditions, darkness, and mountainous terrain, Captain Byrns, flying as a low level, fast moving Owl Forward Air Controller, successfully identified and controlled the ordnance deliveries of friendly fighters against numerous hostile guns and trucks carrying supplies and ammunition vital to unfriendly forces operating in Southeast Asia. With complete disregard for his own personal safety, Captain Byrns continued to flare the area, despite the constant threat of hostile radar guided anti-aircraft artillery and surface-to-air missiles, until the hostile guns were silenced, and the trucks and supplies were completely destroyed. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Byrns reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.




