AWARDED DFC: 2
CONFLICT/SPACE FLIGHT/EVENT:  Vietnam
MODEL:  T-28

Citation:  1.) The AWARD OF THE DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS TO WALTER D. HUNTER Captain Walter D. Hunter distinguished himself by heroism while participating in aerial flight as pilot of a T28 fighter aircraft over the Republic of Vietnam on 26 April 1964. On that date, while assigned to the First Air Commando Squadron (Composite), Captain Hunter pressed the attack against heavy and well emplaced automatic antiaircraft gun batteries, neutralizing two of them. Further, by placing his aircraft in the line of fire between the ground and an unarmed cargo aircraft, he undoubtedly saved the lives of his crew members and demonstrated professional competence, aerial skill and humanitarian regard for his fel1oman. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Captain Hunter reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

2.) Citation to Accompany the Award of The Distinguished Flying Cross To Captain Walter D. Hunter Captain Walter D. Hunter distinguished himself by heroism while participating in aerial flight as a combat strike pilot in a T-28 fighter-bomber aircraft on 26 April 1964 over the Republic of Vietnam. On the above date at 0520 hours, Capt. Hunter took off as a number two in a flight of four T-28 fighter-bombers from Soc Trang Air Field. The flight was scheduled to rendezvous with 4 C-123 cargo aircraft over the town of Vinh Loi located in the Mekong Delta and proceed to the tip of the Ca Mau peninsula where they were to defoliate an area congested with a large number of Communist Viet Cong insurgents. The weather from the rendezvous point to and including the target area was inclement with thunderstorms and ceilings varying from 300 feet to 2000 feet. Upon arrival over the target area the fighters went into a tactical train formation stair stepped up from 300 feet to 1800 feet. Capt. Hunter was flying at 800 feet carrying a heavy load of napalm and rockets. Due to the inclement weather in the target area the C-123s were forced to approach the entry point from an alternate route. As the C-123s were maneuvering into position they flew over the North edge of the DGZ. It was at this point that the VC gunners opened up. Capt. Hunter called the location of the heavy anti-aircraft guns out and directed the C-123s to break left. He instantly recognized the aircraft trap that the VC had set up using 3 well emplaced 50 caliber heavy machine guns. Realizing the surprise tactics of the enemy ground forces and the vulnerability of the second 2 C-123 aircraft in getting away, he dove his aircraft immediately toward the closest gun emplacement to draw attention away from the large slow moving C-123s. Because of his close proximity to the target and not having enough altitude to attain maximum airspeed he dove to less than 30 feet altitude and pressed the attack head on, guns blazing, to distract the enemy gunners. He delivered one 500 pound can of napalm directly on target instantly neutralizing one AAA gun. Capt Hunter's aircraft sustained hits by enemy guns on his first pass; however, due to the vulnerability of enemy guns on climb out, he remained low, circled left and returned for a second hazardous pass. Again Capt Hunter subjected himself to intense ground fire, he pressed in and delivered the remaining napalm bomb directly on the another gun emplacement. While the second element of T-28ss silenced the remaining AAA gun, Capt Hunter returned with his leader to escort the C-123 flight back into the target area. The defoliation mission went as planned from the now burned out entry point until the C-123s reached the last 500 yards of there run. It was at this point that the diligence, perseverance and heroism of Capt Hunter far exceeded that expected of an aircrew member. The unexpected happened, for the VC had set up AAA traps at both ends of the canal not knowing which way the C-123s would be coming in from The lead C-123 immediately became the target of intense hostile ground fire. Capt Hunter realizing the situation called to the lead C-1233 to break right immediately. With complete disregard for his own personal safety, Capt Hunter dove his aircraft and placed himself between the enemy guns and the now crippled C-123. In doing so, he was to absorb the brunt of the intense ground fire. His aircraft was struck repeatedly in the vicinity of the lift wing. His thoughts were to save the lives of the crew members of the C-123 even at the risk of his own life. The C-123 sustained major battle damage and was forced to make an emergency landing at the nearest friendly airfield. As a result of Capt Hunter's heroic action, the C-123s were able to achieve a successful defoliation mission and recover all aircraft. Only through Capt Hunters quick thinking, superb and professional skill in airmanship was he able to return with his badly damaged aircraft and effect a safe landing at Soc Trang. It was discovered after landing that the damage was serious enough to require a major wing change to his aircraft. On this mission Capt Hunter is credited with two 50 caliber heavy machine guns destroyed and an unknown number of VC insurgents killed in action. The heroism and combat instincts displayed by Capt Hunter in destroying two hostile AAA heavy machine gun positions ranks extremely high in this theater. In addition , his heroic action coupled with his desire for absolute mission accomplishment undoubtedly saved the lives of the C-123 crew and contributed greatly to the furtherance of United States National Policy in Southeast Asia by helping the Republic of Vietnam in its fight against the Communist Viet Cong insurgents. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Capt Hunter reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.