AWARDED DFC: 1
CONFLICT/SPACE FLIGHT/EVENT:  Cold War
MODEL:  B-52G

Citation:  1.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Louis W. Buckner for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an Instructor Pilot near Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, on 7 February 1981. On that date, while participating in a higher headquarters mission, Captain Buckner’s aircraft experienced massive electrical failure. As a result of this failure his aircraft was unable to transfer fuel and a subsequent double engine flame out occurred. Captain Buckner skillfully flew the aircraft through bad weather with no navigational aids to Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, where he successfully accomplished the heaviest, six engine, no-flap landing in B-52 history. He successfully terminated the emergency without regard to personal danger and returned a valuable resource to the Air Force. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Buckner reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.