AWARDED DFC: 1
CONFLICT/SPACE FLIGHT/EVENT:  Vietnam
MODEL:  OV-10

Citation:  1.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant Ray E. Noftsinger for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Forward Air Controller in Southeast Asia on 14 March 1972. On that date, while piloting a lightly armed OV-10 reconnaissance aircraft over a highly defended segment of route structure in Laos, Lieutenant Noftsinger discovered a camouflaged bulldozer and directed tactical airstrikes onto the target. Although hampered by extremely poor weather and intense large caliber anti-aircraft artillery fire, Lieutenant Noftsinger destroyed the bulldozer before the weather completely closed in and plotted the anti-aircraft artillery positions for future strikes. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Noftsinger reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.