The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat “V” to First Lieutenant Rudolph Ulrich Zuberbuhler (AFSN: FV-3120127), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as the pilot of an F4C in Southeast Asia on 22 October 1965. On that date, Lieutenant Zuberbuhler flew a strike mission against a railroad bridge and tracks, that were a vital link in transportation for the hostile forces. In spite of unfavorable conditions, mountainous terrain, adverse weather, and intense and accurate hostile fire, Lieutenant Zuberbuhler destroyed 100 feet of track and caused much damage to the area. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Zuberbuhler reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant Rudolph Ulrich Zuberbuhler (AFSN: FV-3120127), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F4C Aircraft Commander over Southeast Asia on 16 August 1966. On that date, Lieutenant Zuberbuhler was flying as number four in a flight of four F4C’s assigned to strike a vital hostile petroleum storage area in a highly defended area. With complete disregard for his own personal safety, Lieutenant Zuberbuhler continued the attack in the face of intense defenses to deliver ordnance on the target. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Zuberbuhler reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Fourth Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fifth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Rudolph Ulrich Zuberbuhler (AFSN: FV-3120127), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-4 Aircraft Commander over North Vietnam on 15 August 1972. On that date, Captain Zuberbuhler led a flight of four F-4 Phantom Aircraft which was part of a force tasked to dispense a chaff corridor from an Initial Point to the target in order to provide radar shielding for a follow-on strike force. After beginning their chaff run, the force was engaged by enemy aircraft, however, Captain Zuberbuhler, in the face of extreme danger, continued his mission and constructed the valuable chaff corridor. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Zuberbuhler reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat “V” to Captain Rudolph Ulrich Zuberbuhler (AFSN: FV-3120127), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an F-4E Aircraft Commander near Hanoi, North Vietnam on 26 June 1972. On that date, Captain Zuberbuhler flew a mission deep into North Vietnam to lay down a radar screening chaff corridor to provide protection to a follow-on strike force from surface-to-air missiles and anti-aircraft guns. In the face of an intense and well coordinated defense of anti-aircraft guns, surface-to-air missiles and hostile aircraft, Captain Zuberbuhler performed with calm precision and professional ability to lay down a chaff corridor exactly as planned thus enabling the strike force to attack and destroy the target with minimum reaction from North Vietnamese defenses. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Captain Zuberbuhler reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.