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 Captain Roger Dean Graham (AFSN: 0-70029), United States Air Force, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force as an A-26 Navigator/Co-Pilot of the 609th Air Commando Squadron, Nakhon Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, on 20 December 1967. On that date, Captain Graham directed his aircraft on a low-level reconnaissance mission along strategic opposing force supply lines. With complete disregard for his own personal safety he succeeded in acquiring the position of a military truck convoy in a heavily defended sector of the road. Then, while under intense fire from six 37-millimeter antiaircraft weapons, he calmly managed the aircraft’s power, fuel and armament systems thereby allowing the pilot to concentrate solely upon ordnance delivery. Through his professional performance, Captain Graham assured that all ordnance was 100% on target which resulted in the destruction of one 37-millimeter antiaircraft emplacement destroyed, three trucks destroyed, and over nine tons of sup[plies and equipment destroyed. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Captain Graham has reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Legion of Merit
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
ColonelAction Date:
July 8, 1989 – April 30, 1992
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Colonel Roger Dean Graham (AFSN: 0-70029), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the United States as Director, Acquisition Law Directorate, Office of the Command Counsel, Headquarters, Air Force Systems Command, Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland, from 8 July 1989 to 30 April 1992. During this period, the exemplary ability, diligence, and devotion to duty of Colonel Graham were instrumental factors in the resolution of many complex problems of major importance to the Air Force. As the senior acquisition attorney in Air Force Systems Command, Colonel Graham provided critical advice to field commanders. Program Executive Officers and the Air Staff on virtually every major Air Force weapons system acquisition during this period including Titan IV, Joint Surveillance and Target Attack Radar System, Advanced Cruise Missile and National Aerospace Plan, assuring the smoothest possible acquisition while maximizing benefits to the government. His leadership in the area of Cooperative Research and Development Agreements was a major factor in posturing the Air Force laboratory system to best transition emerging technologies developed for government purposes into the civilian sector. His exceptional advocacy and management skills resulted in Air Force Systems Command prevailing in over ninety-seven percent of all protests against award of Systems Command contracts lodged with the General Accounting Office. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Graham culminate a long and distinguished career in the service of his country and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainBatallion:
609th Air Commando SquadronDivision:
Nakhon Royal Thai Air Force Base, ThailandAction Date:
May 26, 1968
Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Orders G-2035 (July 9, 1968)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 Roger Dean Graham (AFSN: 0-70029), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an A-26 Navigator/Co-Pilot of the 609th Air Commando Squadron, Nakhon Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in Southeast Asia on 26 May 1968. On that date, Captain Graham directed his aircraft, at night, through treacherous karst in a heavily defended area in order to attack and destroy a hostile convoy. Captain Graham remained over the target and repeatedly attacked the convoy at low altitude, constantly exposing himself to the intense hostile fire with each delivery. Disregarding his own personal safety and at great risk of life, he continued to attack until all ordnance was expend and ten trucks were destroyed. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Captain Graham reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainBatallion:
609th Air Commando SquadronDivision:
Nakhon Royal Thai Air Force Base, ThailandAction Date:
January 27, 1968
Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Orders G-1466 (May 17, 1968)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 Captain Roger Dean Graham (AFSN: 0-70029), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an A-26 Navigator/Co-Pilot of the 609th Air Commando Squadron, Nakhon Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in Southeast Asia on 27 January 1968. On that date, while engaged in operations against an opposing armed ground force, in treacherous, mountainous terrain, and under heavy fire from hostile forces, Captain Graham definitely and with unwavering calmness and courage made repeated low dive bomb attacks. The professional competence and perseverance in the face of superior odds displayed by Captain Graham resulted in the destruction of three trucks, one truck probably destroyed and numerous secondary fires and explosions. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Graham reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainBatallion:
609th Air Commando SquadronDivision:
Nakhon Royal Thai Air Force Base, ThailandAction Date:
April 12, 1968
Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Orders G-1847 (June 24, 1968)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 Captain Roger Dean Graham (AFSN: 0-70029), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an A-26 Navigator/Co-Pilot of the 609th Air Commando Squadron, Nakhon Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in Southeast Asia on 12 April 1968. On that date, Captain Graham joined a Forward Air Controller to strike a Southbound hostile truck convoy. Since another aircraft was striking, Captain Graham and his pilot flew flak suppression. Captain Graham fixed the location of the guns, set the armament system and aircraft strike configuration, while briefing on terrain, tracer trajectory, and escape and evasion headings. When the Forward Air Controller developed engine trouble Captain Graham coordinated escort efforts and followed the aircraft to safety. He then returned to repeatedly strike another convoy, although low on fuel. Throughout the strike Captain Graham continued to manage the aircraft systems and brief the pilot on terrain and opposition. Only when minimum fuel forced his withdrawal, did Captain Graham depart the intense barrage area with three trucks destroyed and four secondary fires created. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Graham reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.