The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Third Gold Star in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Commander Gerald C. Caron, Jr. (NSN: 0-621944), United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as bombardier/navigator of a jet attack aircraft, attached to and serving with Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED NINETY-SIX (VA-196), in U.S.S. CONSTELLATIOIN (CVA-64) on 14 October 1967. Lieutenant Commander Caron, as lead navigator for a coordinated air wing strike against the heavily defended Haiphong shipyard repair facility west, displayed the highest degree of skill and professionalism in the planning and execution of this strike. Lieutenant Commander Caron expertly navigated the strike force toward the pre-determined coast-in point. Then, when it became evident that it would be impossible to execute the attack as planned due to unfavorable weather, Lieutenant Commander Caron skillfully utilized his radar navigation system to guide the group around the heavy weather and to the optimum roll-in point for dive bombing attacks on the target. Lieutenant Commander Caron assisted his pilot in making an extremely accurate attack by monitoring airspeed, altitude and dive angle information thus allowing his pilot to concentrate on visually tracking the aim point. The attack resulted in heavy damage to the main complex of repair and support buildings within the target confines. Lieutenant Commander Caron’s outstanding professional ability and uncommon courage were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Commander Gerald C. Caron, Jr. (NSN: 0-621944), United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as bombardier/navigator of a jet attack aircraft, attached to and serving with Attack Squadron SIXTY-FOUR (VA-64), in U.S.S. CONSTELLATIOIN (CVA-64) in Southeast Asia on 29 August 1966. Lieutenant Commander Caron demonstrated unusual initiative and professional competence in making a night radar bombing attack against enemy naval surface forces in the Gulf of Tonkin. He was launched from CONSTELLATION with orders to utilize his all weather bombing equipment to acquire and attack three North Vietnamese motor torpedo boats which had been sighted earlier. After a thorough search through the northern island area, during which time his aircraft was well within the known operating radii for enemy surface-to-air missiles sites and fighter aircraft, Lieutenant Commander Caron detected on radar, three high-speed surface contacts. Despite continuous intense anti-aircraft fire from the boats and nearby islands, as well as heavy anti-aircraft gun fire from the Cam Pha naval facility, Lieutenant Commander Caron calmly continued to complete a final attack on the boats. After the attack, the engine was secured necessitating a difficult 140-mile flight back to the ship for recovery, with only one engine. Lieutenant Commander Caron coolly and effectively navigated his plane back to the ship, despite a partial loss of system navigation equipment and the problem of flying through constant cloud conditions and a heavy rainstorm. Lieutenant Commander Caron’s initiative, superb ability, and exceptional courage in the face of great danger were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant Commander Gerald C. Caron, Jr. (NSN: 621944), United States Navy, was awarded a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as bombardier/navigator of a jet attack aircraft, attached to and serving with Attack Squadron SIXTY-FIVE (VA-65), in U.S.S. CONSTELLATIOIN (CVA-64) in Southeast Asia on 29 October 1966.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Commander Gerald C. Caron, Jr. (NSN: 0-621944), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a naval flight officer of jet aircraft attached to Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED NINETY-SIX (VA-196), in U.S.S. CONSTELLATIOIN (CVA-64) on 10 June 1967. As the A-6A lead bombardier/navigator, Lieutenant Commander Caron thoroughly and skillfully planned a route to and from the target which minimized exposure to known anti-aircraft guns and surface-to-air missile sites until in the immediate target area. With superb utilization of his radar system, Lieutenant Commander Caron led the strike group to the coast-in point and then through rugged mountainous terrain to reach the target area. Despite encountering a formidable barrage of intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire and guided surface-to-air missiles approximately ten miles from the target, Lieutenant Commander Caron courageously and calmly continued to lead his strike element to the target. When two missiles were observed to be tracking on his plane, Lieutenant Commander Caron, with complete disregard for his personal safety, visually monitored the progress of the missiles and directed his pilot through the proper evasive maneuvering, while still maintaining a base navigation course to the attack roll-in point. Lieutenant Caron visually acquired the target and, as a combat team with his pilot, expertly managed the aircraft weapons release system while keeping his pilot advised of air speed, altitude, and dive angle information, thereby permitting his pilot to concentrated on tracking the aim point. Lieutenant Commander Caron further assured a highly successful bombing run for his crew by operating his weapons system to solve for target area ballistic winds, which his pilot then compensated for during their bombing attack. Following the attack run, Lieutenant Commander Caron resumed his navigational responsibilities and led the safe retirement of all Air Wing FOURTEEN aircraft from the target area. Lieutenant Commander Caron’s extraordinary professional ability, brilliant leadership and uncommon courage in the face of great danger were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.