The Air Force Cross is presented to Jon D. Harston, Staff Sergeant, U.S. Air Force, for extraordinary heroism in military operations against an opposing armed force. Staff Sergeant Harston, a helicopter mechanic, was the only enlisted airman to receive the Air Force Cross for heroic action during the S.S. Mayaguez incident. The Mayaguez had been seized by the Cambodian armed forces; on May 15, 1975, Staff Sergeant Harston's helicopter was involved in the recovery mission. His helicopter was hit by enemy fire and crash-landed on the shore of Koh Tang Island. Although wounded in the leg, Staff Sergeant Harston reentered the burning aircraft and led three Marines to safety. As the survivors of the crash swam away from the beach, Staff Sergeant Harston provided covering fire. He returned to the wrecked helicopter again to pull out another wounded Marine. He then kept himself and two wounded Marines afloat with his damaged life preserver until they were rescued by a navy destroyer approximately three hours later. Through his extraordinary heroism and willpower, in the face of the enemy, Staff Sergeant Harston reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.