Headquarters, 7th Air Force (PACAF), Special Order G-1702 (June 6, 1968)
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Donald William Shepperd (AFSN: 0-52350297), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as an F-100 Forward Air Controller of the 90th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Phu Cat Air Base, Republic of Vietnam, in action over North Vietnam on 7 March 1968. On that date, Captain Shepperd located an extensively camouflaged and extremely heavily defended surface-to-air missile site in a strategic area of North Vietnam. Evading a missile launched at his aircraft, he returned to the area, making repeated marking passes against the missiles, support equipment, and antiaircraft artillery sites protecting the area. His phenomenal courage and aggressiveness in the face of intense hostile fire eliminated the site and its defenses, which posed a severe threat to friendly aircraft operating over North Vietnam. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Captain Shepperd has reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.