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 Staff Sergeant William O. Petrie, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an AC-119K Illuminator Operator in Southeast Asia on 23 November 1971. On that date, Sergeant Petrie and his crew flew an armed reconnaissance mission against infiltration routes being used by unfriendly forces. After locating a truck convoy, moving under the cover of darkness, Sergeant Petrie’s aircraft made repeated attacks against the convoy even though his aircraft came under extremely heavy and accurate hostile fire. Sergeant Petrie’s superior airmanship resulted in several trucks being destroyed and damaged. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Sergeant Petrie 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 Staff Sergeant William O. Petrie, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an AC-119K Illuminator Operator in Southeast Asia on 16 February 1971. On that date, Sergeant Petrie flew an armed reconnaissance mission against heavily defended supply routes being used by hostile forces. After locating several truck convoys, moving under the cover of darkness, Sergeant Petrie’s aircraft made repeated attacks against the convoys despite very intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire. Sergeant Petrie’s superior airmanship resulted in twenty-two trucks being destroyed and three damaged. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Sergeant Petrie reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.