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 Major Edward M. Holley, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an AC-130 Gunship Pilot in Laos on 13 January 1971. On that date, while on a night armed reconnaissance mission over heavily defended hostile supply routes, he was instrumental in the damage or destruction of 29 hostile supply vehicles and the ignition of 4 secondary fires and 17 secondary explosions. While operating his own complex gunship, he successfully directed his fighter escorts on 13 strikes which resulted in the destruction of 1 vehicle, the silencing of 1 anti-aircraft site, and the ignition of 2 secondary fires and explosions. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Major Holley 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 Fourth Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fifth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major Edward M. Holley, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an AC-130 Gunship Aircraft Commander over Laos on 14 February 1971. On that date, while on a night armed reconnaissance mission over heavily defended hostile supply routes, he directly assisted in the damage or destruction of 27 hostile supply vehicles, the creation of 13 secondary fires, the ignition of eight secondary explosions, and severely damaged a hostile river boat transporting supply-laden vehicles en route to support unfriendly forces throughout Southeast Asia. Combining uncommon courage in the face of withering anti-aircraft fire, firm determination to accomplish his mission and superior knowledge of his gunship’s systems, Major Holley continued to perform his duties as his crew relentlessly pressed the attack. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Major Holley 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 Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major Edward M. Holley, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an AC-130 Gunship Aircraft Commander in Laos on 5 February 1972. On that date he took part in an air strike directed at the fiercely defended supply routes along the notorious Ho Chi Minh Trail. Displaying exemplary courage in the face of intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire associated with each target, Major Holley steadfastly performed his duties as his crew relentlessly pressed the attack. Through his actions, 33 hostile vehicles were destroyed or damaged, 19 secondary fires started, two secondary explosions ignited, and large quantities of supplies destined for use against friendly forces destroyed. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Major Holley 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 to Major Edward M. Holley, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an AC-130 Gunship Aircraft Commander in Laos on 30 January 1971. On that date, while on a night armed reconnaissance mission over heavily defended hostile supply routes, he directly assisted in the damage or destruction of 21 hostile supply vehicles, the creation of 12 secondary fires and the ignition of 27 secondary explosions. Displaying celerity and accuracy in assessing the tactical environment coupled with determination, superior airmanship, and crew coordination, while confronted with intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire, he pressed the assault and contributed immeasurably to the successful interdiction strike against the hostile logistic network. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Major Holley 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 addition to a previously awarded Silver Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Seventh Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major Edward M. Holley, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an AC-130 Gunship Pilot over Laos on 29 April 1971. On that date, while on a night armed reconnaissance mission, his actions led to the damage or destruction of 28 hostile supply vehicles and the ignition of nine secondary fires and nine secondary explosions. Putting aside his concern for personal safety in the face of 473 rounds of hostile anti-aircraft fire he succeeded in destroying large amounts of supplies and munitions destined for use against friendly forces. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Major Holley 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 Silver Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Sixth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major Edward M. Holley, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an AC-130 Gunship Aircraft Commander over Laos on 5 March 1971. On that date, while on a night armed reconnaissance mission over heavily defended hostile supply routes, he directly assisted in the damage or destruction of 32 hostile supply vehicles, the creation of nine secondary fires and the ignition of four secondary explosions. It was through his leadership and superb flying ability that this mission effected a devastating blow which denied hostile forces badly needed supplies and equipment destined for use against friendly forces. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Major Holley 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 Major Edward M. Holley, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an AC-130 Gunship Aircraft Commander in Laos on 4 February 1971. On that date, while on a night armed reconnaissance mission over heavily defended hostile supply routes, he directly assisted in the damage or destruction of 30 hostile supply vehicles, the creation of 12 secondary fires and the ignition of 11 secondary explosions. Despite the presence of intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire, he continually pressed the attack and served as an inspiration to his crew. His skill and ability in the employment of the AC-130 Gunship resulted in the loss of great quantities of badly needed supplies destined for unfriendly hands in Southeast Asia. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Major Holley reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.