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 with Combat “V” to Major Mike S. Caudle, United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as F-15E Pilot, 336th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, 379th Expeditionary Operations Group, 379th Air Expeditionary Wing at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar on 2 April 2003. On that date, as the wingman of a two-ship flight of F-15Es, and in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, Major Caudle’s professional skill and superior airmanship suppressed Iraqi enemy forces attempting to ambush the 3rd Battalion, 3rd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division of the United States Army. Under the cover of darkness, along a road in a heavily vegetated area northeast of Karbala, the 3rd Infantry Division was starting initial maneuvers to seize Baghdad. Major Caudle’s flight was re-tasked to perform armed reconnaissance along the intended route. Without any notice from well-concealed positions on either side of the road, elements of the Medina Republican Guard Division ambushed the 3rd Battalion. Major Caudle expertly maneuvered his aircraft to a cover position for his flight lead as he watched the firefight ignite from both sides of the road. Major Caudle’s flight immediately transitioned to emergency close air support with the ground forces call of “Troops in Contact-Danger Close, request suppression with 20 millimeter.” Despite significant risk to his own life from the surrounding heavy anti-aircraft artillery and shoulder-mounted surface-to-air threats, Major Caudle provided cover and made threat avoidance calls as his flight lead executed four night high-angle strafe runs aided by night vision goggles. With the strafing runs complete, the 3rd Battalion requested Major Caudle to drop GBU-12s 500 meters to the east and west of friendly positions to cover their flanks and further suppress the enemy’s movements. Once collateral damage concerns were satisfied, Major Caudle dropped three laser-guided bombs, ensuring the success of the 3rd Infantry Division’s history-making advance towards Baghdad. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Major Caudle reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.