Alfred J. Jeanotte, Jr.

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Air Force Cross to Alfred J. Jeanotte, Jr., Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Air Force, for extraordinary heroism in military operations against an opposing armed force as a C-123 aircraft commander of the 311th Air Commando Squadron, 315th Special Operations Wing, DaNang Air Base, Vietnam, SEVENTH Air Force, in action at Kham Duc, Republic of Vietnam on 12 May 1968. On that date, Colonel Jeanotte and his crew landed at Kham Duc to evacuate the last United States personnel prior to abandoning the airfield to hostile forces. In spite of heavy hostile small arms, mortar, and artillery fire, and the fact that the airstrip was essentially under hostile forces control, Colonel Jeanotte and his crew landed and located these personnel. Although unable to complete the pickup due to the location of these personnel and his inadequate fuel supply, Colonel Jeanotte was able to direct a follow-on aircraft to a pickup point which allowed a successful evacuation. Through his extraordinary heroism, superb airmanship, and aggressiveness in the face of hostile forces, Lieutenant Colonel Jeanotte reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.