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 with Combat “V” to Captain Hardy Franklin LeBel (AFSN: FR-57292), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as a U-10 Pilot of the 1st Air Commando Squadron, Bien Hoa Air Base, South Vietnam, in action near Dak Pek, Republic of Vietnam, on 27 January 1966. On that date, while flying a Psychological Warfare mission in an unarmed U-10 aircraft, Captain LeBel was called upon to search for a load of ammunition which had accidentally been dropped in the jungle near the Dak Pek Special Forces Camp. With complete disregard for his own personal safety, he flew into a hostile controlled area under extremely adverse weather conditions, located the lost munitions and, undeterred by hostile ground fire, led a friendly ground party to the scene. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Captain LeBel reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.