AWARDED DFC: 1
CONFLICT/SPACE FLIGHT/EVENT:  Vietnam
MODEL:  RF-101

Citation:  1.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Colonel Alexander P. Butterfield for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an RF-101 Pilot over Southeast Asia on 15 July 1964. On that date, Colonel Butterfield volunteered to fly his unarmed aircraft into an extremely hostile area to obtain vitally needed photo intelligence of a heavily defended target complex. Despite the adverse conditions of bad weather, intense flak and mountainous terrain, Colonel Butterfield courageously remained over the target for 55 minutes making repeated low-level passes to obtain photographs of great importance to the military effort of the United States in Southeast Asia. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Colonel Butterfield reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.