Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Orders No. G-243 (January 16, 1970)
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 Dean E. DeTar, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an A-1H pilot near the A Shau Valley, Republic of Vietnam, on 31 October 1969. On that date, Major DeTar led a flight of A-1H Skyraiders at dusk, in mountainous terrain and under an 800 foot ceiling, to attack hostile troops which had trapped a segment of an Army Team. For two hours under the most adverse weather conditions Major DeTar braved repeated arms and automatic weapons, while he methodically proceeded to locate and mark the position of the friendly team, silence the opposing fire, and finally lead in Army helicopters with reinforcements, thus saving the team from almost certain annihilation or capture. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Major DeTar reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.