The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat “V” to Commander Douglas J. Denneny, United States Navy, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as a Radar Intercept Officer of an F-14D Aircraft assigned to Fighter Squadron TWO onboard USS CONSTELLATION (CV 64) deployed with Commander, United States FIFTH Fleet in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM on 21 March 2003. Commander Denneny performed his flying duties with exceptional courage, heroism, and the highest degree of airmanship. As the Mission Commander, he masterfully led his division of strikers into the dangerous surface-to-air missile engagement zone protecting Baghdad and successfully destroyed the Al Hurriyah Radio Relay Facility. Commander Denneny’s strike was the first non-stealth coalition strike package of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM to penetrate the defenses of the Iraqi capital. When presented with the delay of his critical surface-to-air missile suppression assets, he heroically elected to press on to the target in challenging weather conditions. Undaunted by the near continuous surface-to-air missile launches and unrelenting anti-aircraft artillery bursts, he expertly delivered his ordnance with devastating results. By his superb airmanship, inspiring courage, and loyal devotion to duty in the face of hazardous flying conditions, Commander Denneny reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. The Combat Distinguishing Device is authorized.