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 [then Second Lieutenant] Charles Joe Meadow (AFSN: FR-22269), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on the night of 21 September 1952 as navigator of an unarmed RB-26 of the 12th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron (Night Photo). Lieutenant Meadow was assigned an Air Force target of the communication bridges near the heavily defended city of Sunchon, Korea. Reaching the target area and only second following the release of the first photo-flash bomb he encountered intense, accurate and concentrated automatic weapons fire. Lieutenant Meadow continued the run until he expended the remainder of his bombs. Near the end of the run Lieutenant Meadow was subjected to additional heavy concentrations of forty millimeter bursts which rocked his aircraft and were recorded on his photographs. By his personal courage and devotion to duty, Lieutenant Meadow has brought great credit to himself and the United States Air Force.
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Awards Received
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Silver Star
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Silver Star
Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Orders G-481 (February 7, 1969)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 Major Charles Joe Meadow (AFSN: FR-22269), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force near An Hoa, Republic of Vietnam, on 29 May 1968. On that date, Major Meadow was flying his unarmed aircraft on a low-level defoliation mission when the formation was struck by intense hostile ground fire which caused the aircraft directly ahead of him to sustain an engine failure. With complete disregard for his personal safety, Major Meadow maneuvered his aircraft perilously low to the ground and under the remaining good engine of the damage aircraft. By so doing, Major Meadow provided a protective shield for his fellow airman and sustained two hits which might otherwise have struck the disabled aircraft. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Major Meadow 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-1079 (March 19, 1969)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 Major Charles Joe Meadow (AFSN: FR-22269), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a UC-123 Pilot at Phouc Vinh Air Base, Republic of Vietnam, on 7 March 1968. On that date, while transporting combat essential cargo, and just after landing, Phouc Vinh Air Base came under hostile mortar attack. Despite the hazards involved, Major Meadow calmly and professionally assisted in the rapid offload of his cargo, and the on-loading of a large number of Vietnamese women and children who were awaiting evacuation. As mortar rounds continued to fall nearby, he then taxied out and made a safe takeoff, thereby extracting his passengers and crew, and a valuable aircraft from this extremely hazardous situation. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Major Meadow reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.