The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Commander Joe Dean Adkins (NSN: 0-477773), United States Navy, for heroic achievement while participating in aerial flight as the Pilot of an A-4E aircraft and Commanding Officer of Attack Squadron SEVENTY-TWO (VA-72), embarked in U.S.S. INDEPENDENCE (CVA-62), on 31 October 1965. Leading a division of aircraft and acting as the strike leader for a 23-plane air wing coordinated strike on the Kep Highway Bridge in North Vietnam, Commander Adkins, despite surface-to-air missiles and intense anti-aircraft fire, was able to keep the force intact and to coordinate a devastating attack on the bridge. Four surface-to-air missile sites were located within a few miles of the bridge and the entire complex was guarded with an impressive array of conventional anti-aircraft artillery. Commander Adkins directed the complete destruction of this bridge with unerring accuracy in the face of intense opposition. Because of his planning and coordination of the attack, not a single plane was lost or damaged. His airmanship and vigilant leadership were critical to the overall success of the mission and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Commander Joe Dean Adkins (NSN: 0-477773), United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as the Pilot of an A-4E aircraft in Attack Squadron SEVENTY-TWO (VA-72), embarked in U.S.S. INDEPENDENCE (CVA-62), on 20 September 1965. Participating in a 32-plane air wing strike on the Cao Nung Railway Bridge, Bac Le, North Vietnam, Commander Adkins led his element as it successfully evaded the missile and anti-aircraft threat. By his quick actions, the BULLPUP striking element was intact and able to respond to the on-the-spot directions of the strike coordinator. During the retirement phase, which involved a downed A-4E pilot, Commander Adkins assumed the communications lead from the strike leader and coordinated the rollback and necessary search and rescue communications. His airmanship and vigilance were critical to the over-all success of the mission and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Commander Joe Dean Adkins (NSN: 0-477773), United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as the Pilot of an A-4E aircraft while serving as Commanding Officer of Attack Squadron SEVENTY-TWO (VA-72), embarked in U.S.S. INDEPENDENCE (CVA-62), on 14 July 1965. As Strike Leader of an air wing coordinated strike against the Tri Dong Bridge, North Vietnam, one of the major supply routes from north-central to southern North Vietnam, Commander Adkins, in the face of enemy gunfire from the surrounding area, led and directed 11 A-4E and one A-6A aircraft in the bombing attack, which resulted in the complete destruction of a 75-foot span of the bridge and caused two other spans to drop. Commander Adkins personally scored direct hits with eight 500-pound bombs, contributing directly to the over-all success of the strike. His leadership, bravery and airmanship were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.