AWARDED DFC: 3
CONFLICT/SPACE FLIGHT/EVENT:  -
MODEL:  F-100

Citation:  1.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Colonel Donald G. Jones for heroism while participating in aerial flight as Flight Lead and F-100 Fighter Pilot near Dak To, Republic of Vietnam on 22 November 1967. On that date, Colonel Jones provided immediate close air support for United States Army units engaged in heavy contact with a large hostile force in the Battle of Dak To. Despite intense ground fire, adverse weather conditions, and the close proximity of friendly ground forces, Colonel Jones responded with repeated and extremely accurate ordnance deliveries in support of the beleaguered friendly forces. His courage, aggressive determination, unerring accuracy, and calm leadership saved many friendly lives and contributed significantly to the overwhelming free world forces victory achieved at Dak To. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Colonel Jones 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 to Lieutenant Colonel Donald G. Jones for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-100 Forward Air Controller operating over North Vietnam on 21 December 1967. On that date, Colonel Jones conducted an extensive and daring search at low altitudes over a heavily defended area of North Vietnam, successfully locating the survivor of an aircraft lost on an earlier date. Displaying outstanding aggressiveness in the unprecedented and sensitive situation that followed, Lieutenant Colonel Jones gained significant intelligence data and contributed markedly to future activities concerning the recovery of air crew members downed over North Vietnam. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Colonel Jones 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 to Lieutenant Colonel Donald G. Jones for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-100 Forward Air Controller operating over North Vietnam on 20 March 1968. On that date, Colonel Jones located and directed a fighter strike against one of the most lucrative vehicle convoys ever sighted in North Vietnam. He stopped the movement of numerous vehicles with strafing passes and thwarted the attempts by hostile forces to move the vehicles. He repeatedly descended to low altitude through intense hostile ground fire to find and mark lucrative groups of vehicles. His courageous tactics and professional direction of strike flights dealt the hostile forces a severe blow in their resupply efforts. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Colonel Jones reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.