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 First Lieutenant Brian Michael Ratzlaff (AFSN: 18860110/3225822), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-4D Pilot near Pleiku, Republic of Vietnam on 6 November 1970. On that date, Lieutenant Ratzlaff was the pilot of the lead aircraft in a flight of two Phantoms which struck an area known to contain a large hostile force. In spite of heavy small arms and automatic weapons fire and extremely adverse weather conditions, Lieutenant Ratzlaff and his aircraft commander delivered their ordnance precisely on target resulting in six military structures destroyed, ten military structures damaged, one bunker destroyed, seven sustained fires, and three hostile troops killed by air. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Ratzlaff 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 First Lieutenant Brian Michael Ratzlaff (AFSN: 18860110/3225822), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an F-4D Pilot in Southeast Asia on 19 March 1971. On that date, Lieutenant Ratzlaff was the lead pilot in a flight of Phantoms defending a small friendly force under imminent threat of capture or death during Operation Lam Son 719. With complete disregard for his personal safety, Lieutenant Ratzlaff made repeated low altitude attacks in the face of intense ground fire thereby allowing the friendly force to evade the large hostile force. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Ratzlaff reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.