AWARDED DFC: 1
CONFLICT/SPACE FLIGHT/EVENT:  -
MODEL:  -

Citation:  1.) The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant (junior grade) Jon L. Neary for heroic and meritorious achievement in aerial flight as a pilot of a jet aircraft attached to Attack Squadron Fifty-Five, embarked in USS CONSTELLATION (CVA 64) on 29 August 1967. During a major coordinated Air Wing attack on the heavily defended Don Em Highway Bridge 17 miles southwest of Hanoi, North Vietnam, Lieutenant (junior grade) Neary demonstrated exceptional aggressiveness and courage as wingman in a two-plane section of AAC Skyhawks assigned to counter surface-to=air missile threats. Undaunted by repeated enemy missile attacks and an intense 37/57 mm anti-aircraft artillery barrage, he skillfully maintained strict section integrity while transmitting timely and accurate warnings of approaching missiles to his leader and the strike group. After calmly evading three enemy missiles, he exposed himself to extreme danger by holding his aircraft to vulnerable wings level flight while expertly guiding his BULLPUP missile to a direct hit on an active missile launching site that posed a lethal threat to the strike group. Lieutenant (junior grade) Neary's singular weapons delivery skill and superb airmanship contributed significantly to the success of the mission. His courageous actions in the face of determined enemy opposition upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.