The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross (Army Award) to Captain David W. Peterson (AFSN: FR-70560), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight on 10 June 1967, while serving as a Forward Air Controller in the vicinity of Binh Phuoc, Vietnam, when he was alerted to a friendly infantry unit had engaged a strong Viet Cong force. Proceeding to the area of contact as darkness fell, Captain Peterson requested illumination so that both he and the ground unit could observe the enemy. In order to observe the contested area properly, Captain Peterson was forced to fly below the altitude of 1,000 feet, due to severe thunderstorms. In total disregard for his own safety, Captain Peterson fearlessly exposed his unarmed aircraft to a withering barrage of automatic and semi automatic weapons fire over three hours. Repeatedly, with great skill and daring, he coordinated artillery fire, helicopter gunships, and a crucial AC-47 Flare/Gunship. As a result of the ability and outstanding direction displayed by Captain Peterson during this battle, the Viet Cong were routed, leaving 42 killed in action. Captain Peterson’s courage, of standing flying ability, and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, in the United States Air Force.