The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain John C. Morrissey, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as the pilot of a Republic F-105 Thunderchief on 12 May 1968. On that date, Captain Morrissey was a member of a flight returning from its primary target to home base when a request for assistance was received from the Airborne Command and Control Center. Captain Morrissey’s flight volunteered and was advised a friendly outpost was being overrun. Captain Morrissey arrived at the outpost and made repeated close support strafing attacks, braving heavy ground fire, while evacuation was in progress. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Morrissey 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 First Lieutenant John C. Morrissey, United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as pilot of a F-105 aircraft on 12 July 1965. On that date, Lieutenant Morrissey sustained serious damage to his fighter during the completion of a highly successful strike deep in hostile territory. Utilizing superior flying skill and thorough knowledge of his aircraft, Lieutenant Morrissey flew his crippled F-105 over three hundred miles through instrument conditions to a successful recovery in friendly territory. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Morrissey 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 Fourth Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fifth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major John C. Morrissey, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an A-7D aircraft commander near Hoa Loc Airfield, North Vietnam, on 27 December 1972. On that date, Major Morrissey subjected himself to intense anti-aircraft fire for extended periods of time at low altitude while escorting a rescue helicopter into the northern region of North Vietnam. His courage, fierce determination, superior alertness, and precise ordnance deliveries during crucial states of the Search and Rescue mission thwarted the opposing forces’ attempts to bring their weapons to bear on the rescue helicopter. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Major Morrissey 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 with Combat “V” to First Lieutenant John C. Morrissey, United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as pilot of an F-105 jet fighter during an attack against Surface-to-air Missile Site 8, located thirty-two miles northwest of Hanoi, North Vietnam, on 9 August 1965. On that date Lieutenant Morrissey refused to withdraw after sustaining direct hits to his aircraft from intense hostile ground fire. At the risk of his life, Lieutenant Morrissey pressed his attack, significantly enhancing the success of the mission. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Morrissey reflect great credit himself and the United States Air Force.