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 Airman First Class Kenneth W. Eagle, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an AC-130 Gunship Aerial Gunner in Laos on 3 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 27 hostile supply vehicles and the ignition of numerous secondary fires and explosions. Working in total darkness and often thrown about by violent maneuvers to avoid antiaircraft fire, Airman Eagle succeeded in keeping the gunship’s weapons loaded and operational. His determination and exemplary courage in maintaining his weapons were directly responsible for stopping large amounts of supplies destined for use against friendly forces throughout Southeast Asia. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Airman Eagle 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 the Distinguished Flying Cross to Airman First Class Kenneth W. Eagle, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an AC-130 Gunship Aerial Gunner in Laos on 16 December 1970. 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 33 hostile supply vehicles. Working in total darkness and often being severely thrown about by aircraft maneuvers to avoid hostile antiaircraft fire, Airman Eagle kept the gunship weapons loaded and operational despite the hostile environment and immediate danger to his personal safety. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Airman Eagle reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force. Eagle, Kenneth W., Airman first Class, United States Air Force is awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an AC-130 Gunship Aerial Gunner in Laos on 18 January 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 16 hostile supply vehicles, the ignition of five secondary fires and 13 secondary explosions. Working in total darkness and often being violently thrown about by abrupt evasive maneuvers, he kept the gunship’s weapons loaded and operational at all times, thereby providing a constant source of firepower. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Airman Eagle reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.