The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Fourth Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fifth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat “V” to Captain Harry W. Hagan, Jr., United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as a Rescue Crew Co-pilot of an HH-3E helicopter in Southeast Asia on 20 October 1968. On that date, Captain Hagen voluntarily penetrated one of the most heavily defended areas of North Vietnam to successfully effect the rescue of two downed pilots who were the object of an intense artillery barrage. He established his aircraft as a decoy to draw fire away from them and for almost one hour was the object of heavy artillery fire. When a smoke screen was placed between the survivors and the hostile forces, he unhesitatingly brought his aircraft to a motionless hover over the two pilots and in the center of impacting ordnance recovered both men and safely exited the area. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Captain Hagen 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 Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Harry W. Hagan, Jr., United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Rescue Crew Copilot of an HH-3E helicopter in Southeast Asia on 12 May 1968. On that date, Captain Hagen entered an extremely hostile area to effect the night rescue of twelve seriously wounded personnel. The survivors were located in an extremely small landing zone surrounded by tall trees on the side of a steep mountain slope. With great determination and superior airmanship, Captain Hagen executed his second takeoff and departure on instruments, after dense cloud cover had drifted over his aircraft while effecting the second rescue of six survivors. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Hagen 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 Captain Harry W. Hagan, Jr., United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Rescue Crew Co-pilot of an HH-3E helicopter in Southeast Asia on 24 April 1968. On that date, Captain Hagen was instrumental in the rescue of a United States Army pilot shot down over the extremely hostile A Shau Valley area. Despite rapidly deteriorating weather conditions and intense opposing fire, Captain Hagen descended into the hostile area and effected the rescue of the downed pilot. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Hagen 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 with Combat “V” to Captain Harry W. Hagan, Jr., United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an HH-3E Rescue Crew Copilot near Kham Duc, Republic of Vietnam on 16 May 1968. On that date, Captain Hagen penetrated an extremely hostile area in an attempt to rescue three wounded American soldiers. Captain Hagen directed fire suppression strikes during the hover as two survivors were rescued under hostile fire. Captain Hagen persisted to evaluate battle damage caused by the intense hostile fire. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Captain Hagen reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.