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 Henry L. Zeybel (AFSN: FR-60872), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an AC-130 Gunship Low Light Level Television Sensor Operator in Laos on 5 February 1971. 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 antiaircraft fire associated with each target, major Zeybel 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 Zeybel 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 Henry L. Zeybel (AFSN: FR-60872), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an AC-130 Gunship Navigator over Laos on 18 March 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 17 secondary fires and 29 secondary explosions. Putting aside his concern for personal safety in the face of 399 rounds of hostile antiaircraft 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 Zeybel 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 the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major Henry L. Zeybel (AFSN: FR-60872), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a C-130B Navigator near A Luoi, Republic of Vietnam on 30 April 1968. On that date, Major Zeybel volunteered to fly an important mission in support of a major offensive underway in the A Shau Valley. Flying through mountainous terrain under extremely adverse weather conditions, Major Zeybel unerringly directed his aircraft to the target area. Then, although the low altitudes and airspeeds requisite to making an air-drop exposed him to heavy hostile ground fire, Major Zeybel calmly directed his crew in the highly successful delivery of their essential cargo. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Major Zeybel 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 Henry L. Zeybel (AFSN: FR-60872), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an AC-130 Gunship Fire Control Officer in Laos on 18 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 16 hostile supply vehicles, the ignition of five secondary fires and 13 secondary explosions. Despite the intense antiaircraft fire and the violent evasive maneuvers, he analyzed the gunship’s firing geometry, evaluated the ballistic pattern of the guns and continuously applied precise and accurate corrective measures. In addition, he serviced and operated the bomb damage assessment video recorder, thus assuring a record of the activity. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Major Zeybel 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 Henry L. Zeybel (AFSN: FR-60872), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an AC-130 Gunship Low Light Level Television Sensor Operator over Laos on 19 March 1971. On that date, while on a night armed reconnaissance mission over heavily defended hostile supply routes, his actions led to the damage or destruction of 30 hostile supply vehicles. Characterized by superior ability and steady determination, with excellent crew coordination, while confronted with intense and accurate antiaircraft fire, he ferreted out and tracked hostile supply vehicles with his sensor system, thereby contributing immeasurably to the successful interdiction strike. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Major Zeybel 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 Henry L. Zeybel (AFSN: FR-60872), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an AC-130 Gunship Low Light Level Television Sensor Operator 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. Operating his sensor with extreme skill, he systematically sought out and tracked each vehicle despite the poor light and dense jungle canopy. Although intense antiaircraft fire forced the aircraft from its firing orbit repeatedly, he acquired his targets immediately. His skill and knowledge contributed immeasurably to the success of the mission and helped to deny badly needed supplies to hostile hands in Southeast Asia. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Major Zeybel 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 Henry L. Zeybel (AFSN: FR-60872), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an AC-130 Gunship Low Light Level Television Sensor Operator over Laos on 25 March 1971. On that date, while on a night armed reconnaissance mission over heavily defended hostile supply routes, his actions led to the damage or destruction of 37 hostile supply vehicles, creation of 12 secondary fires and the ignition of 21 secondary explosions. Demonstrating outstanding skill, perception, and composure, he found and tracked these hostile vehicles through dense jungle in spite of 653 rounds of antiaircraft fire hurled at his aircraft. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Major Zeybel reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.