(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: 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 to Captain Charles Bailey Neel (AFSN: FR-62706), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-100 Forward Air Controller with the 416th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Bien Hoa Air Base, South Vietnam, in action in Southeast Asia in 1967. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Neel reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of 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 Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat “V” to Captain Charles Bailey Neel (AFSN: FR-62706), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an F-100 Forward Air Controller with the 416th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Bien Hoa Air Base, South Vietnam, directing fighter aircraft over North Vietnam on 2 November 1967. On that date, Captain Neel directed a series of fighter attacks on a concentration of twenty-nine 37 millimeter and 57 millimeter antiaircraft artillery guns which were protecting a strategic area of North Vietnam. With complete disregard for his own personal safety, he remained at a dangerously low altitude over the target for an aggregate of over two hours. He repeatedly dove his unarmed aircraft into the face of withering hostile fire in order to expose the firing positions and to draw the flak away from the less maneuverable, ordnance-laden fighters. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Captain Neel reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of 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 with Combat “V” to Captain Charles Bailey Neel (AFSN: FR-62706), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an F-100 Forward Air Controller with the 416th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Bien Hoa Air Base, South Vietnam, operating over North Vietnam on 8 November 1967. On that date, Captain Neel repeatedly flew through intense hostile antiaircraft artillery fire at low altitude in order to locate heavily camouflaged, highly lucrative fuel storage facilities. As he began his dive through the exploding flak to mark the target for the arriving fighters, he was shot down over hostile territory. As a direct result of his courage and persistence in the face of intense hostile fire, this valuable target was precisely located, attacked, and destroyed. The outstanding heroism and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Neel reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of 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 the Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat “V” to Captain Charles Bailey Neel (AFSN: FR-62706), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an F-100 Forward Air Controller with the 416th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Bien Hoa Air Base, South Vietnam, in action in the Republic of Vietnam, on 27 June 1967. On that date, Captain Neel was a member of a flight of three F-100’s diverted from their pre-planned target to answer a request for immediate close air support by a United States Army Special Forces unit under heavy attack on three sides by an estimated four companies of North Vietnamese Army. Despite the extremely hazardous weather conditions and intense hostile ground fire, Captain Neel with complete disregard for his own personal safety, accurately delivered his ordnance in defense of the beleaguered friendly forces. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Captain Neel reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of 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 Charles Bailey Neel (AFSN: FR-62706), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-100 Forward Air Controller with the 416th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Bien Hoa Air Base, South Vietnam, operating over North Vietnam on 20 November 1967. On that date, Captain Neel located the survivor of an aircraft which was shot down over extremely hostile territory and directed a rescue helicopter to his position. With superior aggressiveness and airmanship he located and strafed gun positions which were firing on the survivor and rescue aircraft from close range, completely suppressing the hostile fire and allowing a safe recovery to be accomplished. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Neel reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.