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 with Combat “V” to First Lieutenant David Berry Waldrop, III (AFSN: FV-3162224), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 Pilot over North Vietnam on 27 October 1967. On that date, Lieutenant Waldrop was a member in the lead flight of a force ordered to strike a heavily defended railroad and highway bridge located just four miles from Hanoi. In spite of intense target defenses which consisted of numerous anti-aircraft sites and several active and firing surface-to-air missile sites, Lieutenant Waldrop pressed into the target area and accurately delivered his ordnance on target, severely damaging the bridge. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Waldrop reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Awards Received
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
First LieutenantBatallion:
357th Tactical Fighter SquadronAction Date:
July 5, 1967
Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Order G-1390 (September 2, 1967)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant David Berry Waldrop, III (AFSN: FV-3162224), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force while serving as an F-105 Pilot with the 44th Tactical Fighter Squadron, in action over North Vietnam on 5 July 1967. On that date, Lieutenant Waldrop participated in an attack on the Vu Chua Railroad Yard northeast of Hanoi. On the roll-in to his dive bomb delivery Lieutenant Waldrop’s aircraft was struck by anti-aircraft defenses, but despite the battle damage and intense barrages of flak, he proceeded on to drop his ordnance precisely on target. After pulling out from his dive bomb run Lieutenant Waldrop observed an F-105 aircraft on fire and quickly went to that pilot’s assistance, disregarding the heavy anti-aircraft fire in the vicinity. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Lieutenant Waldrop has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
First LieutenantBatallion:
34th Tactical Fighter SquadronAction Date:
August 12, 1967
Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Order G-2124 (November 30, 1967)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to First Lieutenant David Berry Waldrop, III (AFSN: FV-3162224), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force while serving with the 44th Tactical Fighter Squadron, in action over North Vietnam on 12 August 1967. On that date, Lieutenant Waldrop led a flight of three F-105 aircraft against the Hanoi Railroad Bridge located approximately four miles northeast of Hanoi. Despite intense anti-aircraft fire bursting all around his aircraft and several surface-to-air missile launches, Lieutenant Waldrop successfully attacked and destroyed two spans of this vital railroad bridge. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Lieutenant Waldrop has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
First LieutenantBatallion:
34th Tactical Fighter SquadronAction Date:
August 23, 1967
Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special orders G-2166 (December 4, 1967)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Silver Star to First Lieutenant David Berry Waldrop, III (AFSN: FV-3162224), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force while serving as an F-105 Thunderchief Pilot with the 34th Tactical Fighter Squadron, in action near Hanoi, North Vietnam on 23 August 1967. On that date, Lieutenant Waldrop successfully attacked the Yen Vien Rail Yard, North Vietnam, in the face of withering anti-aircraft fire. After completing his bombing attack, and with fuel critically low, Lieutenant Waldrop engaged and shot down two MiG-17 aircraft. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Lieutenant Waldrop has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special orders G-1874 (October 30, 1967)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 David Berry Waldrop, III (AFSN: FV-3162224), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 Pilot near Kep Airfield, North Vietnam, on 13 June 1967. On that date, Lieutenant Waldrop flew through intense anti-aircraft fire and surface-to-air missile defenses of both the Northeast Railroad and Kep Airfield to successfully bomb the strategic Kep Airfield. Due to his alertness as a wingman, he skillfully acquired and then accurately placed his ordnance directly into a parking area destroying five MiG-17s. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Waldrop reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special orders G-2247 (December 14, 1967)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 David Berry Waldrop, III (AFSN: FV-3162224), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 Pilot over North Vietnam on 4 October 1967. On that date, Lieutenant Waldrop attacked a vital military target in a heavily defended area in North Vietnam. Despite numerous surface-to-air missiles, intense anti-aircraft fire, and hostile aircraft, Lieutenant Waldrop pressed the attack and dropped his ordnance directly on the target. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Waldrop reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.