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 with Combat “V” to Colonel Frederick Corbin Blesse (AFSN: 0-17010A), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an F-4C Aircraft Commander in Southeast Asia on 12 May 1967. On that date Colonel Blesse was assigned to escort sixteen F-105’s against a vital military target in the Democratic Republic of Vietnam while under intense hostile ground fire and surface-to-air missiles. A flight of five MiG-17’s was driven away from the F-105’s during a successful entry and exit without losses. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Colonel Blesse reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.