The President of the United States of America, authorized by Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant Herbert Benjamin Ringsdorf, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-4 Phantom II Pilot with the 47th Tactical Fighter Squadron, in action against an opposing hostile force in Southeast Asia on 24 September 1965. On that date, Lieutenant Ringsdorf participated in a successful strike mission that severely impaired the hostile forces’ wartime capability. Although the target was heavily defended by hostile anti-aircraft artillery, Lieutenant Ringsdorf assisted his Aircraft Commander in aggressively attacking and delivering their ordnance on the target. Bomb damage assessment photography revealed that heavy damage was inflicted on a military installation of great importance to the hostile forces. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Ringsdorf reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Bronze Star Medal
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Silver Star
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Prisoner of War Medal
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
November 11, 1966 – February 18, 1973
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962, takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Captain Herbert Benjamin Ringsdorf, United States Air Force, for heroic achievement while a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from 11 November 1966 to 18 February 1973. His ceaseless efforts to conduct himself strictly in accord with the Code of Conduct and policies of the prisoner organization in the difficult conditions of a communist prison clearly demonstrated his loyalty, love of country, and professionalism. By his unselfish dedication to duty, he reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant Herbert Benjamin Ringsdorf, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-4 Phantom II Pilot with the 47th Tactical Fighter Squadron, in Southeast Asia on 5 November 1966. On that date, Lieutenant Ringsdorf flew a mission against an hostile encampment and was highly instrumental in effecting target destruction, continually exposing his aircraft to the unfriendly force while operating in extremely marginal weather conditions. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Ringsdorf reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
First LieutenantBatallion:
47th Tactical Fighter SquadronDivision:
Cam Ranh Bay, VietnamAction Date:
November 11, 1966
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Herbert Benjamin Ringsdorf, United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as an F-4C Pilot of the 47th Tactical Fighter Squadron, in action in Southeast Asia, on 11 November 1966. On that date, Lieutenant Ringsdorf piloted an F-4C aircraft against a target in North Vietnam. Despite known defensive weapons fire reported by other aircraft in the attacking flight, Lieutenant Ringsdorf selflessly continued his attack. With complete disregard for his own personal safety, Lieutenant Ringsdorf made low repeated passes over suspected anti-aircraft gun positions to draw their fire and expose themselves to attacks from fighter aircraft. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Lieutenant Ringsdorf has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
First LieutenantBatallion:
47th Tactical Fighter SquadronAction Date:
August 23, 1965
Headquarters, Pacific Air Forces, Special Order G-231 (December 14, 1965)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant Herbert Benjamin Ringsdorf, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-4 Phantom II Pilot with the 47th Tactical Fighter Squadron, over Southeast Asia on 23 August 1965. On that date, Lieutenant Ringsdorf participated in the destruction of a target of great importance to an opposing armed force. The target, located deep in hostile territory was within range of a suspected surface-to-air missile (SAM) site and was heavily defended by anti-aircraft artillery and automatic weapons. Lieutenant Ringsdorf, with disregard for his personal safety, deliberately approached the target from an altitude and heading which insured optimum weapons delivery on target but at the same time gave the hostile forces the opportunity to employ their defense forces to best advantage. Despite the hazards involved, the ordnance was delivered on target with such accuracy that subsequent bomb damage assessment photography confirmed that it had been completely destroyed. As a result of this mission, the capability of the opposing force to wage an armed conflict was significantly impaired. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Ringsdorf reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Prisoner of War Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
November 11, 1966 – February 18, 1973
Captain Herbert Benjamin Ringsdorf, United States Air Force, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from November 11, 1966 until his release on February 18, 1973.