The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant John Herbert Haselton, United States Air Force, for Controller and an O-2A Pilot of the 21st Tactical Air Support Squadron, in action near An Loc, Republic of Vietnam, on 8 May 1972. On that date, Lieutenant Haselton flew in support of allied troops in contact with a superior hostile force. Despite intense ground fire directed at his unarmed aircraft, he accurately marked the hostile positions. Due to his timely actions and disregard for his own safety, the hostile positions were destroyed, relieving much of the pressure on the allied troops. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by First Lieutenant Haselton reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
First LieutenantBatallion:
21st Tactical Air Support SquadronAction Date:
April 8, 1972
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant John Herbert Haselton, United States Air Force, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force as an O-2A Pilot of the 21st Tactical Air Support Squadron, in action near An Loc, Republic of Vietnam, on 8 April 1972. On that date, Lieutenant Haselton came to the aid of a fifteen-man allied task force and three United States Army Advisors that had been isolated by the ambush of a regimental-sized hostile force. All but two of the task force were wounded and had been pinned down for eighteen hours by hostile fire. Intense antiaircraft fire had caused the failure of three previous rescue attempts. Without regard for his personal safety, Lieutenant Haselton repeatedly exposed his unarmed aircraft to antiaircraft fire to locate hostile positions and to direct the expenditure of tactical airpower against them with great precision. His calm professional manner in the face of intense fire was a source of inspiration to the beleaguered band of stranded men. As a direct result of Lieutenant Haselton’s skill and discipline, all eighteen men were successfully rescued. By his gallantry and devotion to duty in the dedication of his service to his country, Lieutenant Haselton has reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.