AWARDED DFC: 1
CONFLICT/SPACE FLIGHT/EVENT:  -
MODEL:  F-5

Citation:  1.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant Percy Werner for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flights to Formosa on 15 January 1956 and to Saigon, French Indo-China on 3 March 1945. On each occasion Lieutenant Werner led a flight of single-place unarmed F-5 aircraft on long-range reconnaissance missions. In the first mission over Formosa ever made by aircraft of the Fifth Air Force, he led his unescorted formation on a 1600-mile trip over territory defended by approximately 240 Japanese fighters. He successfully evaded seven enemy fighters over the target, and flying through adverse weather, brought his flight back to its base. On the mission to Saigon he again led his flight on one of the longest and most hazardous trips ever made by F-5 aircraft. This was the first coverage of this target by F-5's of the Fifth Air Force. He returned with excellent operational photographs which proved of inestimable value to combat intelligence. The skill, courage and devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Werner during these flights are worthy of commendation.