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 to Captain William A Gauntt (AFSN: 0-18652766/685621), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an RF-4C Aircraft Commander with the 14th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in action over Southeast Asia on 18 May 1972. On that date, Captain Gauntt flew an extremely dangerous reconnaissance mission assigned to obtain important photography of the heavily defended railroad network leading northeast from Hanoi. Although handicapped greatly by extremely poor weather conditions and by unavoidable mission delays, Captain Gauntt never wavered in his determination to accomplish his mission, and braving extremely intense antiaircraft artillery fire, he successfully acquired the invaluable intelligence. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Gauntt reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of 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 Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain William A Gauntt (AFSN: 0-18652766/685621), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an RF-4C Aircraft Commander near Hanoi, North Vietnam, on 11 June 1972. On that date, Captain Gauntt led a composite flight of reconnaissance aircraft and fighter escorts to obtain bomb damage assessment along the Northeast Railroad leading out of Hanoi. With complete disregard for his own personal safety while braving severe and accurate antiaircraft fire, Captain Gauntt attained outstanding results with complete coverage of all assigned targets, thereby enabling higher echelons of command to accurately evaluate enemy capabilities. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Gauntt reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.