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 Colonel William Humphrey Nelson (AFSN: FR-33458/AO-667540), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 pilot over North Vietnam on 7 July 1966. On that date, Colonel Nelson was mission commander of a large force of fighter-bombers assigned to strike targets on Hanoi’s northeast rail line to Communist China. While en route to the target he discovered that the prevailing weather would preclude effective execution of the planned strikes. Drawing on his intimate knowledge of the lucrative targets within range of his strike force, Colonel Nelson directed his flight leaders to deliver their ordnance against key interdiction and fleeting targets along the Red River rail line. Colonel Nelson led his own flight in destroying a twenty-five car train and the tracks on which it stood despite intense defensive fire. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Colonel Nelson reflect great credit upon himself and 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 with Combat “V” to Colonel William Humphrey Nelson (AFSN: FR-33458/AO-667540), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 pilot at Thai Nguyen, North Vietnam on 22 June 1966. On that date, Colonel Nelson led his flight in attacking a petroleum storage area in the heavily defended Thai Nguyen industrial complex. Despite the heavy barrage defenses he encountered as he pulled up and dove on his target, Colonel Nelson placed his ordnance precisely on the main storage bunkers of the facility, destroying them and their contents. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Colonel Nelson reflect great credit upon himself and 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 with Combat “V” to Colonel William Humphrey Nelson (AFSN: FR-33458/AO-667540), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 Pilot at Thai Nguyen, North Vietnam, on 8 May 1966. On that date, Colonel Nelson was mission commander of a strike executed against the vital Thai Nguyen railroad yard. Despite marginal weather conditions en route, Colonel Nelson led his force directly to the target, delivering his ordnance under intense fire from the heavy target defenses. The result of Colonel Nelson’s daring leadership was the interdiction of this critical railroad yard and the destruction of a large quantity of railroad stock. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Colonel Nelson reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.