John A. Cherrey

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to John A. Cherrey, Captain, U.S. Air Force, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in military operations against an armed enemy of the United States as Pilot of an A-10 Warthog of the 81st Fighter Squadron, 40th Air Expeditionary Group, in action near Novi Sad, Serbia, on 27 March 1999. On that date, Captain Cherrey was the overall Commander of a combat Search-and-Rescue Task Force tasked with locating and recovering an American F-117A pilot shot down within 25 miles of Belgrade. Captain Cherrey flew into the teeth of the Serbian Air defenses, battling constant communication jamming and intrusion, deteriorating weather, repeated targeting of his aircraft by deadly SA-3 and SA-6 surface-to-air missiles, and the threat of enemy aircraft only a few miles from the downed F-117A stealth fighter pilot’s location. At extreme risk to his life, Captain Cherrey overflew unknown Serbian territory while fully exposed to surface-to-air threats, until he positively identified the pilot and his location. Captain Cherrey deceived enemy radar and concealed the intended pickup site by maneuvering his formation away from the downed pilot’s position and into the SA-3 and SA-6 lethal ranges. Critically low on fuel, Captain Cherrey refused to abandon his post. With impeccable courage, he stayed in an increasingly hostile environment to be close to the downed pilot until the rescue. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Captain Cherrey has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.