The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross (Army Award) to Major Allan R. Baer (AFSN: FR-494447), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight against a hostile force on 12 January 1967. Major Baer distinguished himself while serving as a Forward Air Controller for a Special Forces clandestine operation. During the evacuation of this unit from an area where they were experiencing increasing enemy pressure by a numerically superior force, Major Baer continually exposed himself to heavy ground fire in order to accurately pinpoint enemy targets. As the extraction progressed, the weather conditions were deteriorating and enemy ground fire increased. Despite unsafe flying conditions and enemy ground fire, Major Baer continued to direct close air support airstrikes that caused the Viet Cong to reduce pressure on the friendly ground unit, permitting friendly ground troops to be safely extracted. Major Baer’s bravery, outstanding flying ability, and knowledge of his job and ground operations were instrumental in the successful extraction of the company of friendly troops, which otherwise would certainly have been decimated, during the approaching darkness, by the strong enemy force surrounding the friendly unit. His actions are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the Armed Forces of the United States.

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 Major Allan R. Baer (AFSN: FR-494447), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as a Forward Air Controller near Buon Dlung, Republic of Vietnam, on 22 February 1967. On that date, the village of Buon Dlung was overrun by a regimental size hostile force. Major Baer immediately and accurately assessed the situation and called for an air strike, and through withering ground fire, stayed in the area for eight hours assessing damage and trying to locate an area in which one friendly force airman was missing. By his heroic actions, personal endeavor, and selfless devotion to duty, Major Baer has reflected 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 Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross (Army Award) to Lieutenant Colonel Allan R. Baer (AFSN: FR-494447), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight. Lieutenant Colonel Baer distinguished himself by heroism in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam on 26 November 1967, while serving as a Forward Air Controller in support of United States Special Forces, Korean and Vietnamese forces in heavy contact with North Vietnamese Army and Viet Cong forces in Dien Khatch Province. Colonel Baer exposed himself to intense enemy fire to locate, and direct air strikes against enemy elements which had friendly forces pinned down and unable to move. This close air support mission enabled the friendly element to evacuate their wounded and withdraw to more secure positions. Colonel Baer then continued to direct airstrikes and make timely, concise reports while continuously exposing himself to fire which, on one occasion, struck his aircraft. Colonel Baer returned to the battle area after darkness on 26 November, and while exposing himself to heavy fire and the additional hazard of falling flares, adjusted the illumination of the supporting flareship so effectively that he was able to give uninterrupted illumination to three different battle areas simultaneously. Colonel Baer again returned to the battle area, and directed airstrikes against enemy positions which had been harassing friendly troops across an open field during the night. When the gunships failed to destroy one of the targets, Colonel Baer on two occasions brought his own aircraft so close to the enemy target that he was able to toss a grenade directly into an enemy occupied building, setting it afire and killing at least one enemy, and destroying an enemy machine gun and a recoilless rifle which could have otherwise been brought to bear against the exposed friendly ground troops. Colonel Baer continued exposing himself to fire to engage enemy troops who were attempting to flee out of the battle area by crossing a river, armed only with small rockets. Colonel Baer was able to force the enemy back into the battle area. In addition, he gave continuous, accurate observations which enabled the ground troops to operate much more effectively against the enemy. Colonel Baer’s personal courage, professional competence, and unerring skill served to give immeasurable aid to the heavily engaged friendly forces, and had a demoralizing and confusing effect on the enemy. Colonel Baer’s exceptional gallantry reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Armed Forces.

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 Major Allan R. Baer (AFSN: FR-494447), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Forward Air Controller near Ban Me Thuot, Republic of Vietnam on 13 January 1967. On that date, Major Baer directed fighter aircraft against a hostile force deployed to ambush friendly forces proceeding to assist a beleaguered United States Special Forces element. With disregard for personal safety, Major Baer marked hostile positions despite heavy automatic weapons fire directed at him. His skillful and daring aerial professionalism accounted for the ultimate destruction by tactical air power of the large hostile ambush force. Their destruction permitted a friendly force to reach and relieve the United States Special Forces element which subsequently inflicted additional heavy losses on hostile forces. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Major Baer reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.