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 (Infantry) John P. Egan (ASN: 0-5226654), United States Army, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as evidenced by voluntary action above and beyond the call of duty in the Republic of Vietnam. Captain Egan distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions during the early morning hours of 8 November 1967, while serving as a Fire Team Leader with the Air Cavalry Troop, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the air over a Vietnamese Popular Forces compound at Xa Duy Qan, seven miles northwest of Tanh Dinh, Vietnam. Upon hearing that the compound was in the process of being overrun by a large Viet Cong force, Captain Egan volunteered to fly his aircraft to the scene in support of the friendly forces, in spite of poor visibility due to thick ground fog and intermittent cloud layers, and a complete lack of tactical maps for the area. Flying by instrumentation and radio contact alone, Captain Egan located the compound and came under automatic weapons and small arms fire. With the position of the compound marked by a flare and the fire fight marked by tracer rounds, Captain Egan began a series of firing passes, launching rockets directly into the Viet Cong positions until all his ammunition was expended. Due to his courageous flight and highly accurate fire, the enemy was completely routed, leaving 20 bodies behind. Captain Egan’s outstanding flying ability and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.