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 Captain David L. Tucker (AFSN: FR-66238), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 Pilot over North Vietnam on 26 September 1967. On that date, Captain tucker was flying in the lead bomb flight of a strike force executed against an important and heavily defended rail yard and railroad bridge complex. The force was persistently engaged by hostile fighters prior to reaching their target, but Captain Tucker provided such timely warnings that the strike force engaged them without damage. Captain Tucker then proceeded with his lone flight deep into hostile territory and dropped his ordnance precisely on target. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Tucker 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 Captain David L. Tucker (AFSN: FR-66238), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 Strike Pilot over North Vietnam on 17 November 1967. On that date Captain Tucker was flight leader in a strike force directed to attack a previously un-stuck target in the most highly defended area in North Vietnam. Despite a smaller than normal force, poor visibility in the target area, numerous surface-to-air missile launches and extremely heavy flak, Captain Tucker led his flight on a successful strike. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Captain Tucker 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 Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain David L. Tucker (AFSN: FR-66238), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 Pilot over North Vietnam on 15 December 1967. On that date, Captain Tucker was flying lead in a flight of F-105 Thunderchiefs assigned to strike a railway and highway bridge deep in the heart of North Vietnam. Despite intense and accurate hostile anti-aircraft fire, surface-to-air missiles, and MiG threats, Captain Tucker proceeded with his attack at extremely low level. The tremendous success of this strike mission in the face of heavy hostilities, with no loss to the flight, is a tribute to the aggressiveness and skill of Captain Tucker. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Tucker reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.