The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat “V” to Lieutenant Craig Backus Williams, United States Navy, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as a Pilot of an FA-18 Aircraft while serving with Strike Fighter Squadron EIGHTY-SIX embarked in U.S.S. AMERICA (CV-66) on 28 January 1991. During the early morning, Lieutenant Williams launched as the Suppression of Enemy Air Defense lead for a twenty aircraft Carrier Air Wing ONE long range strike on Qasr Amij SCUD missile sites, located in Central Iraq. Following three hours of coordinated tanking with U.S. Air Force KC-135 Aircraft and transit of 150 miles through hostile enemy territory, his flight executed a superbly planned attack on the enemy’s surface-to-air missile defenses, utilizing High Speed Anti-Radiation Missiles. The strike aircraft successfully destroyed the enemy SCUD missile sites without a friendly loss. Subsequently, due in part to the established surface-to-air missile sanctuary, Lieutenant Williams was vectored to an additional target over 100 miles deeper into the hostile fire zone. Despite heavy enemy anti-aircraft artillery fire and a rapidly decreasing fuel state, he located and attacked an enemy re-supply convoy of nearly twenty vehicles. Single-handedly, Lieutenant Williams destroyed the lead vehicles, forcing the convoy to a standstill and allowing a follow-on strike to destroy the remainder. By his valiant leadership, superb airmanship, and courageous devotion to duty in the face of hazardous flying conditions, Lieutenant Williams reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. [Lieutenant Williams is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.]