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.