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 Lieutenant Colonel William A. Curnutte, United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as F-4D Pilot, 390th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 366th Tactical Fighter Wing, DaNang Air Force Base, Vietnam, on 17 January 1969. On that date, while on an aerial flight in Tchepone, Laos, Colonel Curnutte unhesitatingly and courageously led his flight into very severe anti-aircraft artillery fire, dropping his in country ordinance on numerous hostile gun emplacements occupied by an encampment of 10,000 North Vietnamese Army troops. Placing himself in an extremely hazardous situation, Colonel Curnutte flew his aircraft down in the weeds and provided the desperately needed support to keep the enemy from capturing a downed pilot and enabling his safe rescue. Colonel Curnutte’s reputation as a superior fighter pilot was fully demonstrated on his mission. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Colonel Curnutte reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.