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 Captain Clyde L. Schuiten, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an AC-130 Gunship Navigator in Southeast Asia, on 26 April 1969. On that date while on a night armed reconnaissance mission, he was directly responsible for the destruction of 16 trucks, the damaging of 2 others, plus numerous explosions and fires in truck parks and storage areas. This feat was accomplished despite intense and accurate antiaircraft fire which put his life in constant jeopardy. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Schuiten 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 Captain Clyde L. Schuiten, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an AC-130 Gunship Infrared Sensor Operator over Laos on 16 April 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 39 hostile supply vehicles, and the creation of numerous secondary fires and explosions. While experiencing abrupt aircraft maneuvers to avoid heavy barrages of antiaircraft bursts, he expertly acquired hostile targets and directed the aircraft into proper firing geometry, thereby making these extraordinary mission results possible. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Schuiten 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 Captain Clyde L. Schuiten, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an AC-130 Gunship Infrared Sensor Operator over 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, Captain Schuiten 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 Captain Schuiten 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 Captain Clyde L. Schuiten, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an AC-130 Gunship Infrared 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, the 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 Captain Schuiten 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 Captain Clyde L. Schuiten, 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 21 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, the creation of 31 secondary fires and the ignition of 19 secondary explosions. Demonstrating expertise and steady determination, while confronted with intense and accurate antiaircraft fire, he scanned, secured and pursued the hostile supply vehicles with his sensor, thereby contributing immeasurably to the successful interdiction strike against the logistics network. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Schuiten 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 Captain Clyde L. Schuiten, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an AC-130 Gunship Infrared Sensor Operator over 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. Working in an extremely hostile environment of antiaircraft fire, he diligently searched out and tracked his targets despite the rugged terrain and dense jungle below. His skill and capabilities were instrumental to the success of the mission, and helped to destroy large stores of munitions and supplies destined for use against friendly forces in Southeast Asia. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Schuiten reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.