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 David LaPaul Yates, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-4D Aircraft Commander of the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing, Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in action in Southeast Asia on 17 August 1971. On that date, Captain Yates flew a dusk patrol mission against hostile road repair vehicles and associated supplies situated along one of the most heavily defended route segments in Southeast Asia. In spite of intensely accurate antiaircraft fire, Captain Yates, with complete disregard for his own personal safety, made repeated and extremely accurate ordnance deliveries resulting in substantial losses to unfriendly forces. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Yates 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 Captain David LaPaul Yates, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-4D Aircraft Commander of the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing, Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in action over hostile territory in Southeast Asia on 25 May 1972. On that date, despite heavy antiaircraft artillery fire directed at his aircraft, Captain Yates, having only minimum information on the location of his target, was able to locate and direct strike flights onto one of the hostile force’s surface-to-air missile sites. Under the skilled direction of Captain Yates, the target was successfully destroyed. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Yates 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 to Captain David LaPaul Yates, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-4D Aircraft Commander of the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing, Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in action over Route Package One, North Vietnam, on 23 April 1972. On that day, Captain Yates was directed to work with a fast Forward Air controller striking targets of opportunity. Despite the extremely high threat posed by twelve surface-to-air missiles, over one hundred rounds of antiaircraft artillery fire, and possible hostile aircraft, Captain Yates repeatedly delivered his ordnance directly on target. Captain Yates’ superior performance under these hazardous conditions resulted in the destruction of a large volume of supplies destined for hostile forces operating in South Vietnam. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Yates 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 to First Lieutenant David LaPaul Yates, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-4E Pilot of the 388th Tactical Fighter Wing, Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in action in Southeast Asia on 25 April 1970. On that date, Lieutenant Yates led a flight of two F-4E fighter aircraft against a hostile supply/truck park storage area in one of the most highly defended areas of Southeast Asia. Despite adverse weather conditions and accurate, intense hostile ground fire, Lieutenant Yates attacked and destroyed the storage area, causing numerous secondary explosions, and subsequently severely hampering the logistical capability of an opposing force. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Yates 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 the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant David LaPaul Yates, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-4E Pilot of the 388th Tactical Fighter Wing, Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in action in Southeast Asia on 25 March 1970. On that date, Lieutenant Yates conducted multiple strikes against a heavily defended opposing force supply route. Despite marginal weather and heavy concentrated ground fire, Lieutenant Yates succeeded in closing the vital supply line and destroying several hostile anti-aircraft gun positions. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Yates reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.