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 Rufus David Harris, United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an A-1H Pilot of the 69th Special Operations Squadron, Pleiku Air Base, South Vietnam, in action near A Shau, Republic of Vietnam, on 28 February 1969. On that date, Captain Harris led a flight of A-1H Skyraiders scrambled from alert to defend and protect a Special Forces Team trapped in high mountainous terrain by a numerically superior hostile force. Captain Harris not only led the marauding Skyraiders through the high threat anti-aircraft hostile environment on 24 repeated low-level attack passes but selflessly continued to expose himself making low-level dry attack passes even though dangerously low on fuel until the hostile forces broke contact and retreated. Captain Harris’ dynamic leadership, sheer courage and superb airmanship under extremely hazardous conditions were the vital factors in the heroic defense of the Special Forces Team. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Captain Harris 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 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat “V” to Captain Rufus David Harris, United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an A-1H Pilot of the 69th Special Operations Squadron, Pleiku Air Base, South Vietnam, in action in Southeast Asia on 4 April 1969. On that date, Captain Harris led a flight of A-1H Skyraiders scrambled from alert for close tactical air support of a beleaguered friendly team which was completely surrounded by hostile forces and in danger of annihilation by ground attack. Not only did Captain Harris selflessly divert intense, hostile automatic weapons fire to himself for two hours while the team was successfully re-supplied by air, but for an extensive period thereafter, he made repeated low-level attacks in his vulnerable aircraft through a fusillade of anti-aircraft fire, that had already downed two aircraft, until the hostile offensive was crushed allowing the team to perform its vital truck interdiction mission. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Captain Harris 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 with Combat “V” to Captain Rufus David Harris, United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an A-1H Pilot of the 69th Special Operations Squadron, Pleiku Air Base, South Vietnam, in action near Ben Het, Republic of Vietnam, on 2 May 1969. On that date, Captain Harris single-handedly made repeated savage attacks on hostile troops surrounding a friendly Special Forces outpost, halting an attempt to annihilate the friendly forces and diverting hostile fire from a MEDEVAC helicopter to himself, so the helicopter could safely evacuate the wounded. His bravery and selfless devotion to duty under extremely hostile conditions, without protection of a wingman, were the instrumental factors in the safe withdrawal of friendly forces from a besieged camp. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Captain Harris 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 Fourth Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fifth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat “V” to Captain Rufus David Harris, United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an A-1H Pilot of the 69th Special Operations Squadron, Pleiku Air Base, South Vietnam, in action near Ben Het Special Forces Camp, Republic of Vietnam, on 1 September 1969. On that date, Captain Harris led a flight of A-1H aircraft credited with saving the lives of an American and Free World Forces patrol encircled and under attack deep in hostile territory. Flying without his wingman through extremely hazardous weather and rough terrain, Captain Harris made repeated bombing and strafing passes, through heavy hostile fire, pinning down the attacking hostile force long enough for the patrol to establish a strong defensive position from which they were subsequently rescued. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Captain Harris reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.