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 to Major Louis Elmer Daniels, Jr. (AFSN: 0-56993), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-100 pilot near Saigon, Republic of Vietnam on 3 August 1967. On that date, Major Daniels was scrambled from the Bien Hoa Alert Facility to support beleaguered troops of the 7th Infantry Division, Army of the Republic of Vietnam, who were trapped in open rice paddies by a large Viet Cong force. Operating within an envelope of continuous hostile fire directed at his aircraft, Major Daniels made repeated low altitude ordnance deliveries, breaking the attack and contributing significantly to an overwhelming allied victory. His disregard for the hostile fire, which twice struck his aircraft, and his highly accurate deliveries resulted in the saving of many friendly lives. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Major Daniels 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 Major Louis Elmer Daniels, Jr. (AFSN: 0-56993), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an F-100 Pilot in Southeast Asia on 31 October 1967. On that date, Major Daniels led two night missions in support of allied forces under heavy mortar and human wave attack during the battle of Loc Ninh. Despite an intense barrage of automatic weapons fire and extremely adverse weather conditions, he made repeated low altitude ordnance deliveries in a successful effort to repulse the hostile assault on the beleaguered fort. Major Daniels’ gallantry in the face of seemingly insurmountable hazards was a major factor in the successful defense of Loc Ninh, and contributed materially to one of the most significant allied victories thus far in the present conflict in Southeast Asia. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Major Daniels reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.