AWARDED DFC: 5
CONFLICT/SPACE FLIGHT/EVENT:  Vietnam
MODEL:  F-4D

Citation:  1.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant Jonathan A. Hayes for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-4D Aircraft Commander in Southeast Asia on 24 March 1968. On that date, Lieutenant Hayes was a member of a flight of F-4D aircraft which attacked one of the most heavily defended target complexes in Southeast Asia, considered by the Joint Chiefs of Staff to be of special military significance. Despite hazardous weather conditions and intense barrages of surface-to-air missiles, Lieutenant Hayes courageously completed his mission with compete disregard for his own personal safety. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Hayes reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

2.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross (First Oak Leaf Cluster) to Captain Jonathan A. Hayes for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-4D Aircraft Commander over North Vietnam on 2 January 1968. On that date, Captain Hayes participated in a flight of two aircraft that attacked hostile gun positions that were endangering friendly forces in South Vietnam Despite heavy, intense and accurate ground fire, Captain Hayes heroically pressed his attack to place all ordnance on target, destroying two artillery pieces, detonation a large ammunition supply and scattering hostile personnel. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Hayes reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

3.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross (Second Oak Leaf Cluster) to Captain Jonathan A. Hayes. Captain Jonathan A. Hayes distinguished himself by heroism while participating in aerial flight as an F-4D Aircraft Commander over North Vietnam on 12 March 1968. On that date, Captain Hayes was scheduled to attack an airfield vital to the defensive posture of the North Vietnamese. Having sustained serious battle damage to intensive ground fire and being unable to attack the primary target due to severe weather conditions, Captain Hayes sought out and attacked a valuable target of opportunity, further exposing himself to serious defensive reactions. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Captain Hayes reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

4.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross (Third Oak Leaf Cluster) to Captain Jonathan A. Hayes for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-4D Aircraft Commander in Southeast Asia on 8 March 1971. On that date, Captain Hayes was in a flight of four Phantoms which attacked a large ammunition storage area while in support of allied forces engaged in Operation Lam Son 719. In spite of adverse weather conditions, hazardous terrain, and intense ground fire, Captain Hayes delivered all his ordnance precisely on target producing fifteen large, one-hundred and ten medium, and two-hundred small secondary explosions, and igniting thirty-five sustained fires. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Hayes reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

5.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross (Fourth Oak Leaf Cluster) to Captain Jonathan A. Hayes for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-4D Aircraft Commander in Southeast Asia on 18 June 1971. On that date, Captain Hayes led a flight of Phantoms scrambled from alert to attack a known hostile location deep in hostile territory. Despite marginal weather and heavy small arms fire, Captain Hayes made multiple low angle attacks destroying five storage areas, damaging ten storage areas and igniting one sustained fire. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Hayes reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.