The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Commander Frederick Fraser Palmer (NSN: 0-448768), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action as a Pilot and Commanding Officer, Attack Carrier Air Wing FOURTEEN, embarked in U.S.S. RANGER (CVA-61), while conducting an armed reconnaissance mission along the coast of North Vietnam on 31 May 1966. When his flight was attacked by a surface-to-air missile, Commander Palmer avoided the missile by maneuvering the flight close to the surface of the water. Attacked by a second missile, he again led his flight through evasive maneuvers. He then planned an attack on the missile site. By outmaneuvering missiles when fired, he located the target and conducted a retaliatory rocket attack on the site, despite intense anti-aircraft and automatic weapons fire. His rocket attack resulted in heavy damage to the control and guidance equipment at the site.
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Awards Received
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Navy Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Navy Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderRegiment:
Attack Carrier Air Wing 14 (CVW-14)Division:
U.S.S. Ranger (CVA-61)Action Date:
June 29, 1966
Authority: Navy Department Board of Decorations and MedalsThe President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Commander Frederick Fraser Palmer (NSN: 0-448768), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in action as Commander, Attack Carrier Air Wing FOURTEEN (CVW-14), embarked in U.S.S. RANGER (CVA-61). During the devastatingly effective strike against the heavily defended Hai Phong petroleum and oil storage area in North Vietnam on 29 June 1966, Commander Palmer, as leader of the entire strike force, was responsible for the precise, well coordinated and imaginative plan which ultimately was responsible for the success of the entire mission. Knowingly placing himself in the middle of the strike force so that he could coordinate and evaluate the entire mission, he effected the rendezvous of the strike group of twenty-eight airplanes, directing them to the target with deliberate precision despite complete electronic and radar silence. At the target, he fired his rockets directly into fuel tanks causing a fireball which reached up to 1500 feet. Following his own attack, Commander Palmer, despite heavy enemy gunfire, turned back to the target to make the first essential evaluation of damage, noting that all ordnance had been accurately placed within the carefully prescribed target area and that the damage was extensive. His imaginative planning, skillful execution and outstanding courage in the face of extreme danger were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderRegiment:
Attack Carrier Air Wing 14 (CVW-14)Division:
U.S.S. Ranger (CVA-61)Action Date:
May 1, 1966
All Hands (April 1967)The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Commander Frederick Fraser Palmer (NSN: 0-448768), United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight during a coordinated strike against rail facilities and lines of communication in North Vietnam on 1 May 1966. Commander Palmer planned and led the first strike in a sustained attack on military targets in the Vinh complex, though unable to aim his own bombs due to windscreen damage suffered when his plane was hit by anti-aircraft fire. He continued to press home his attack to insure proper over-all strike coordination and target identification for his flight. He then pulled up from the target, determined the extent of the damage to his aircraft and made a dive attack on a second target without the assistance of a gun sight. Severe damage was inflicted upon the primary and secondary targets.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderRegiment:
Attack Carrier Air Wing 14 (CVW-14)Division:
U.S.S. Ranger (CVA-61)Action Date:
May 8, 1966
All Hands (April 1967)The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Commander Frederick Fraser Palmer (NSN: 0-448768), United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while leading a coordinated strike on the Me Xa highway bridge located in the high density enemy anti-aircraft and surface-to-air missile environment between Hanoi and Haiphong on 8 May 1966. When four surface-to-air missiles exploded near the strike group, he courageously led his SKYHAWKS against the firing sites. In the face of furious ground fire and missiles fired at his flight, Commander Palmer attacked and delivered a lethal blow with his rockets and then led his flight to safety.