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 John T. Buck, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Forward Air Controller near Baria, Republic of Vietnam on 17 February 1967. On that date, with exceptional initiative in application of professional knowledge and skill, Captain Buck judiciously directed fighter attacks against hostile forces threatening friendly ground forces. Due in a large measure to Captain Buck’s extreme professional competency, the immediate threat to a pinned friendly force was removed allowing them to move to defensible positions. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Buck 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 John T. Buck, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-100 pilot near Binh Dai, Republic of Vietnam on 14 June 1967. On that date, he was diverted from his original target to provide close air support for a United States Army Company under imminent danger of being overrun by a battalion-sized hostile force. Despite adverse weather conditions and heavy hostile ground fire, Major Buck made repeated low-altitude strafing passes within ten meters of the friendly positions. His timely and extremely accurate deliveries broke the hostile attack averting certain disaster and resulted in the saving of an untold number of friendly lives. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Buck reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.