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 Colonel (Air Corps) Clifford John Heflin (AFSN: FR-1885/ASN: 0-22617), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in early July 1944. During this period, Colonel Heflin voluntarily served as pilot of an unarmed airplane on special missions over enemy occupied territory and fraught with danger of enemy attack. Adverse weather conditions were encountered over most of the route forcing Colonel Heflin to fly at low altitude. Colonel Heflin’s ability to overcome the manifold problems incident to the execution of this war mission demonstrated a high degree of courage and flying skill, and the results of his actions contributed materially to the success of a highly important and military undertaking.

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 Colonel (Air Corps), [then Lieutenant Colonel] Clifford John Heflin (AFSN: FR-1885/ASN: 0-22617), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement, while serving with distinction as Pilot of a B-24 airplane on numerous Special Operations missions over enemy occupied Europe. Colonel Heflin performed his duties with the utmost skill and his actions while engaged in combat with the enemy have been an example to his fellow crewmen. The courage, determination and exceptional skill displayed by Colonel Heflin contributed materially to the successful completion of each of these missions and reflect highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.