AWARDED DFC: 1
CONFLICT/SPACE FLIGHT/EVENT:  GWOT
MODEL:  A/OA-10

Citation:  1.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Scott R. Cerone for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an A/OA-10 Pilot, 74 th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, 40 th Expeditionary Operations Group, 52nd Air Expeditionary Wing, Gioia del Colle Air Base, Italy, on 1 June 1999. On that date, while acting as the lead forward air controller for western Kosovo, Captain Cerone identified three artillery pieces southwest of the city of Prizern. He directed and led an attack against the position, destroying the target. He then identified and visually confirmed two additional artillery pieces west of the city. Directing his wingman against these targets, they were successfully destroyed. Receiving a priority target from the Combined Air Operations Center, he located heavy artillery actively firing into Albania. While he was identifying the target, he was engaged by anti-aircraft artillery. Maneuvering his formation clear of the threat, Captain Cerone attempted to attack the threat, but was unsuccessful, again being engaged by the anti-aircraft artillery. He then established an attack zone clear of the threat and controlled a flight of A-10s against the artillery position who destroyed it. The outstanding heroism and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Cerone reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.