AWARDED DFC: 1
CONFLICT/SPACE FLIGHT/EVENT:  GWOT
MODEL:  F-14B

Citation:  1.) The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant John W. DePree, United States Navy, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as the Radar Intercept Officer of an F-14B Tomcat Aircraft while attached to Fighter Squadron ONE ZERO TWO embarked in USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) deployed to the North Arabian Sea in support of Operation Enduring Freedom on l7 November 2001. Lieutenant DePree launched as lead of a flight tasked to provide Forward Air Control in central Afghanistan. He intercepted an urgent request for emergency Close Air Support from a U.S. Special Forces team under attack and retreating from a large enemy force near the town of Tarin Kowt. Taking immediate command of the perilous situation, Lieutenant DePree located the friendly position and positively identified the enemy column. Totally disregarding his own safety while taking Antiaircraft Artillery and small arms fire, he released three GBU-12 Laser Guided Bombs, destroying the lead enemy vehicles and effectively halting the enemy advance. With no bombs remaining, he suppressed the enemy force with strafing attacks until additional Navy strike assets arrived on station. Lieutenant DePree remained airborne for nearly five hours to control ten air wing strike aircraft, skillfully guiding 17 additional weapons to direct hits. His actions were later reported to have “broken the back of the Taliban” in the critical Tarin Kowt area, resulting in the confirmed destruction of 25 enemy armored and light vehicles and nearly 300 enemy killed. By his superb airmanship, inspiring courage, and loyal devotion to duty in the face of hazardous flying conditions, Lieutenant DePree reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.