AWARDED DFC: 3
CONFLICT/SPACE FLIGHT/EVENT:  Vietnam
MODEL:  AC-130

Citation:  1.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain John J. Russell for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an AC-130 Gunship Fire Control Officer in Laos on 12 January 1971. On that date, while on an armed reconnaissance mission over heavily defended supply and infiltration routes, he assisted in the damage or destruction of 20 hostile supply vehicles and the creation of 20 secondary fires and 15 secondary explosions. Calmly and accurately interpreting the impact of the gunship's ordnance despite intense and accurate hostile antiaircraft fire, he was able to make necessary corrections in the fire control computer to bring the projectiles directly onto the targets. Without these corrections, the extreme success of this mission could not have been attained. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Russell 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 John J. Russell for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an AC-130 Gunship Fire Control Officer in Laos on 1 February 1971. On that date, while on a night armed reconnaissance mission over heavily defended hostile supply routes, he directly assisted in the damage or destruction of 24 hostile supply vehicles, the creation of nine sustained fires and the ignition of 39 secondary explosions. His exceptional competence in wind determination, operation of the Battle Damage Assessment Recorder, and sensor coordination made him invaluable. His clearly evident contribution to the crew effort enabled this weapon system to successfully destroy the supplies destined for use by hostile forces. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Russell 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 John J. Russell for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an AC-130 Gunship Fire Control Officer in Laos on 5 March 1971. On that date, while on a night armed reconnaissance mission over heavily defended hostile supply routes, he directly assisted in the damage or destruction of 43 hostile supply vehicles, the creation of nine secondary fires and explosions. Directing the activities of his sensor team with skill and determination, his efforts were a part of one of the most successful missions in the annals of the AC-130 Gunship program, and denied large quantities of badly needed supplies to hostile forces in Southeast Asia. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Russell reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.