The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain John Joseph Sweeney, Jr., United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Forward Air Controller of the 20th Tactical Air Support Squadron, Quang Ngai Air Base, South Vietnam, in actioin in Southeast Asia on 5 January 1968. On that date, Captain Sweeney exposed himself to aircraft defenses along one of the major infiltration routes in order to pinpoint the gun emplacements so that he could accurately direct firepower on them. Although being fired upon, a single hit from which would have downed his unarmed aircraft, he successfully silenced the hostile guns allowing safe surveillance of the route and adding to the hazards the unfriendly forces were to face in moving their supplies. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Sweeney reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.