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 Commander Joseph Francis Frick (NSN: 0-569972), United States Navy, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as a pilot of jet aircraft while serving as Commander Attack Carrier Air Wing FOURTEEN embarked in U.S.S. ENTERPRISE (CVAN-65). On 27 December 1972, Commander Frick was the pilot of an A-6A Intruder on a single-plane, night low-level strike mission against the Haiphong Thermal Power Plant in support of United States Air Force B-52 raids on the Hanoi-Haiphong heartland of North Vietnam. Flying through a hail of anti-aircraft fire and harassed by enemy fire-control radars, he accurately placed his ordnance on target, causing two secondary explosions and a sustained fire, substantially damaging the enemy installation. Commander Frick’s superb airmanship, courage, and devotion to duty reflected great credit upon himself and 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 a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Commander Joseph Francis Frick (NSN: 0-569972), United States Navy, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as a pilot of jet aircraft while serving as Commander Attack Carrier Air Wing FOURTEEN embarked in U.S.S. ENTERPRISE (CVAN-65). On 28 December 1972, Commander Frick was the leader of a major air wing ALPHA Strike against Radio Communications Station Number THREE and two surface-to-air missile sites in the Hanoi area of North Vietnam. Despite fierce enemy opposition and adverse weather conditions he displayed superior skill in maintaining flight integrity and maneuvering the divisions of the strike group into position to execute an attack on their assigned targets. Although faced with the threat of attacking hostile aircraft and anti-aircraft fire of scathing intensity he valiantly led his Division into the attack and delivered his ordnance on target. Commander Frick’s superb airmanship, courage and devotion to duty in the face of obvious danger reflected great credit upon himself and 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 a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Commander Joseph Francis Frick (NSN: 0-569972), United States Navy, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as a pilot of jet aircraft while serving as Commander Attack Carrier Air Wing FOURTEEN embarked in U.S.S. ENTERPRISE (CVAN-65). On 11 November 1972, Commander Frick led a highly successful coordinated air wing strike against the Bai Thuong Airfield in North Vietnam. He skillfully led his forces through inclement weather to the optimum position from which to strike this heavily defended target in a daring dive bombing attack which placed the majority of the strike’s ordnance directly on target. Disregarding numerous surface-to-air missiles and a hail of anti-aircraft fire, he personally supervised the post-strike reconnaissance and air wing egress. Post-strike photography revealed sixteen bomb craters in the runway, rendering it useless to the enemy. Commander Frick’s courageous leadership and aerial skill reflected great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.