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 Phillip Lee Carson (AFSN: 0-3138041), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-100 pilot near Loc Ninh, Republic of Vietnam, on 14 September 1968. On that date, Captain Carson scrambled from Bien Hoa Air Base to provide close air support for elements of the 1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, which were greatly outnumbered by a regiment of the North Vietnamese Army 7th Division. The friendly troops were pinned down in extremely close proximity to the heavily-fortified bunker complex. Captain Carson repeatedly braved intense anti-aircraft fire to deliver his ordnance accurately on the hostile fortifications. His courage and exceptional accuracy resulted in serious losses to the hostile forces and relieved the pressure on the friendly troops. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Carson reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.