AWARDED DFC: 9
CONFLICT/SPACE FLIGHT/EVENT:  Vietnam
MODEL:  A-1H

Citation:  1.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant John W. Weinig for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an A-1H Pilot near Ben Het, Republic of Vietnam on 27 June 1969. On that date, Lieutenant Weinig was scrambled from alert to provide close air support for a surrounded reconnaissance patrol engaged in fierce hand-to-hand combat with a numerically superior hostile force. Selflessly disregarding the extreme personal hazards, Lieutenant Weinig flew twenty treetop level attacks through a withering hail of anti-aircraft fire, devastating the hostile forces so badly that the friendly patrol was not only saved from annihilation, but could continue their ground sweep and prevent attacks on the beleaguered Ben Het Camp for that sector. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Weinig 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 First Lieutenant John W. Weinig for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an A-1H Pilot over Southeast Asia on 16 July 1969. On that date, Lieutenant Weinig was scrambled from alert to attack a large hostile force surrounding a Special Forces Team below a 500' ceiling in mountainous terrain bristling with automatic anti-aircraft weapons. Lieutenant Weinig courageously flew repeated treetop level attacks through intense ground forces for 45 minutes until he completed 17 devastating attacks which silenced multiple automatic weapons positions, crushed the hostile forces and allowed the successful rescue of the beleaguered friendly team by helicopter without opposition. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Weinig 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 First Lieutenant John W. Weinig for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an A-1H Pilot near Ben Het, Republic of Vietnam on 15 August 1969. On that date, Lieutenant Weinig's flight saved the lives of an American and Free World Forces patrol which was surrounded, under fire deep in hostile territory, and in danger of annihilation. Lieutenant Weinig repeatedly flew through heavy automatic weapon fire from five known hostile gun positions and many small arms locations with such accurate and intense rocket delivery that the hostile forces broke contact and fled. This allowed the friendly forces to prepare a landing zone from which they were successfully evacuated. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

4.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant John W. Weinig for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an A-1H Tactical Fighter Pilot in Southeast Asia on 22 November 1969. On that date, Lieutenant Weinig, as the On-scene Commander of a successful search and rescue mission made repeated passes through heavy accurate hostile fire while organizing and commanding a successful rescue attempt. Lieutenant Weinig's willingness to expose himself to hostile fire and his ability to act under extremely hazardous conditions were key factors in the successful recovery of a gravely injured American airman. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Weinig reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

5.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant John W. Weinig for heroism while participating in aerial flight as a A-1 Tactical Fighter Pilot in Southeast Asia on 10 December 1969. On that date, Lieutenant Weinig organized and commanded a rescue force of A-1H aircraft and HH-3E helicopters that successfully rescued an American Airman who had been shot down near a heavily defended major road deep in hostile territory. Lieutenant Weinig made repeated low-level passes through heavy anti-aircraft fire while locating the airman, suppressing the hostile fire, and directing the recovery operation. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Weinig reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

6.) ) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant John W. Weinig for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an A-1H Skyraider Pilot near Tam Ky, Republic of Vietnam on 26 December 1969. On that date, Lieutenant Weinig repeatedly attacked hostile gun positions and silenced them. His multiple low passes in the face of intense ground fire were instrumental in the successful rescue of five downed American aircrew members. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed Lieutenant Weinig reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

7.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant John W. Weinig for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an A-1H Pilot near Duc Pho, Republic of Vietnam on 27 August 1969. On that date, Lieutenant Weinig flew an A-1H aircraft in support of American ground forces under attack by a large hostile force which had shot down a preceding aircraft. In spite of heavy fire from small arms, automatic weapons, and anti-aircraft positions, Lieutenant Weinig repeatedly flew his damaged aircraft against the hostile position until all ground fire was silenced. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Weinig reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

8.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant John W. Weinig for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an A-1H Tactical Fighter Pilot in Southeast Asia on 2 April 1970. On that date, Lieutenant Weinig single-handedly attacked a large concentration of enemy troops threatening to overrun an allied reconnaissance patrol deep in hostile territory. When his forward air controller sustained serious battle damage, Lieutenant Weinig led him through the weather on his wing to a safe recovery at a friendly airfield. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Weinig reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

9.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant John W. Weinig for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an A-1H Fighter Pilot near Dak Pek, Republic of Vietnam on 27 December 1969. On that date, Lieutenant Weinig led a flight of A-1H fighters which supported a long-range reconnaissance team mission deep in hostile territory. Despite poor weather which obscured most of the area and extremely heavy fire, Lieutenant Weinig repeatedly attacked the gun positions which had the friendly team pinned down, allowing them to complete their mission successfully and safely. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Weinig reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.