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 Captain George Edward Buchner (AFSN: FR-62539), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as a Forward Air Controller and Pilot of an O-1 airplane of the 20th Tactical Air Support Squadron, DaNang Air Base, South Vietnam, in action near Quang Ngai, Republic of Vietnam, from 31 January 1967 to 3 February 1967. During this period, Captain Buchner was flying his O-1E aircraft in support of Operation ESTUARY against two Viet Cong battalions. Despite marginal weather conditions and intense hostile ground fire, Captain Buchner’s outstanding professional ability in directing numerous sorties contributed greatly to the success of the operation. In one instance, his courage to press the attack against hostile ground fire was directly responsible for saving one Republic of Korea platoon from complete annihilation. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Captain Buchner reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of 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 a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Colonel George Edward Buchner (AFSN: FR-62539), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-4E Aircraft Commander over Southeast Asia on 24 December 1972. On that date, Colonel Buchner flew a night B-52 strike escort mission near the heavily defended cities of Hanoi and Haiphong, North Vietnam. Despite marginal weather conditions and extremely intense antiaircraft fire, Colonel Buchner successfully protected B-52 strike aircraft from attacks by hostile interceptors. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Buchner reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of 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 a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain George Edward Buchner (AFSN: FR-62539), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Forward Air Controller and Pilot of an O-1 Bird Dog airplane of the 20th Tactical Air Support Squadron, DaNang Air Base, South Vietnam, in action over Southeast Asia on 9 September 1967. On that date, Captain Buchner made repeated low diving passes while piloting an O-2 aircraft in the face of intense ground fire to draw hostile forces away from wounded friendly forces. His relentless efforts directly saved many of the wounded and insured safe and expeditious medical evacuations. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Buchner reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.