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 Daniel J. Hampton, United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as F-16CJ Fighter Pilot, 77th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, 363d Expeditionary Operations Group, 363d Air Expeditionary Wing at Prince Sultan Air Base, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on 6 April 2003. On that date, near Baghdad, Iraq, Colonel Hampton’s flight was tasked for a destruction of enemy air defenses mission over Baghdad in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. Visually acquiring a military complex northeast of Baghdad, Colonel Hampton conducted armed reconnaissance of the area in the heart of the surface-to-air threat envelope. Discovering four heavily defended SA-3 surface-to-air missile sites, Colonel Hampton assumed the responsibility of on-scene commander, immediately marked the target area and began strike coordination with three different command and control agencies. Despite intense, guided enemy anti-aircraft artillery fire and the dense concentration of surface-to-air missile threats, he attacked the missile sites with precision cluster munitions and the 20-millimeter cannon personally destroying two of the emplacements. Evading heavy 57-millimeter ground fire Colonel Hampton marked a third battery with the 20-millimeter cannon. Colonel Hampton then talked his wingman onto the target and covered him while he destroyed the site with precision cluster munitions. Low on fuel, Colonel Hampton remained on station, as airborne forward air controller for an inbound flight of F-16’s. Providing detailed targeting information and in-flight control, Colonel Hampton’s courage, aggressiveness and skillful tactical execution under extremely dangerous circumstances resulted in the total destruction of four Iraqi surface-to-air missile sites and the overall success of the mission. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Colonel Hampton 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 with Combat “V” to Lieutenant Colonel Daniel J. Hampton, United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as F-16CJ Fighter Pilot, 77th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, 363d Expeditionary Operations Group, 363d Air Expeditionary Wing at Prince Sultan Air Base, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on 7 April 2003. On that date, near Baghdad, Iraq, Colonel Hampton exhibited outstanding airmanship and absolute dedication to the mission under extremely hazardous conditions. Colonel Hampton’s flight was re-rolled by the Combined Air Operations Center for a special mission in the area of an airfield in Baghdad. Colonel Hampton ensured the targeting data was precise and all friendly forces near the area were located and avoided. Formulating an attack plan that accounted for the marginal target area weather and dense concentration of surface-to-air threats, Colonel Hampton and his wingman began the first of two attacks. Heavy enemy anti-aircraft artillery and multiple surface-to-air missile batteries forced Colonel Hampton to react defensively, yet he pressed on with his attacks destroying two helicopters with precision cluster munitions while his wingman destroyed the third helicopter. Evading the continuous enemy fire, Colonel Hampton made a second pass to ensure all three aircraft had been destroyed. Colonel Hampton’s courage, aggressiveness and lethal tactical execution under extremely dangerous circumstances directly resulted in the destruction of all three helicopters and the overall success of the mission. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Colonel Hampton reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.