The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Silver Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Sixth 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 over Southeast Asia on 29 April 1972. On that date, Captain Byrns displayed exceptional airmanship and courage while on a night strike against vital hostile supply, storage, and communications networks in North Vietnam. Despite surface-to-air missile defenses, radar controlled heavy caliber anti-aircraft artillery, and the threat of numerous hostile interceptor aircraft, he delivered his ordnance on target with the extreme precision and accurate timing required to achieve the highest degree of success and safety. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Byrns reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.




