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 [then Lieutenant Commander] Theodore Frank Kopfman (NSN: 0-597544), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on 2 May 1966, as the Pilot of an A-4 light jet attack aircraft, serving with Attack Squadron FIFTY-FIVE (VA-55), deployed aboard the aircraft carrier U.S.S. RANGER (CVA-61), during aerial combat operations in Southeast Asia. As leader of a coordinated strike against the North Vietnamese transportation system, Commander Kopfman valiantly attempted to reach his assigned targets in the face of extremely adverse weather conditions. When this attempt proved unsuccessful, he led his division of aircraft in an attack upon a train in the vicinity of Tap Phuc, North Vietnam. Encountering intense enemy automatic weapons fire which damaged one of the aircraft in his Division, Commander Kopfman courageously pressed the attack and, after the damaged aircraft and his section leader were safely over the water, re-attacked the train to draw the enemy’s fire while his wingman struck a nearby railroad bridge. Commander Kopfman continued his attack, although his own aircraft had been hit, and delivered his remaining bombs on the train, destroying several cars and damaging several others. He then struck a nearby construction site with his remaining rockets and inflicted heavy damage. His courage, perseverance, and skill were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Commander [then Lieutenant Commander] Theodore Frank Kopfman (NSN: 0-597544), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on 4 March 1966, as the Pilot of an A-4 light jet attack aircraft, serving with Attack Squadron FIFTY-FIVE (VA-55), deployed aboard the aircraft carrier U.S.S. RANGER (CVA-61), during aerial combat operations in Southeast Asia. As the leader of a flight of five aircraft on a strike against a known surface-to-air missile site fourteen miles north of Thanh Hoa, North Vietnam, Commander Kopfman skillfully led his flight to the target despite poor visibility and continuous surface-to-air missile alert warnings. Although receiving intense automatic weapons fire which damaged his aircraft, Commander Kopfman expertly delivered five 500-pound fire bombs on the target, destroying a gun emplacement, three storage buildings, and marking the surface-to-air missile site for the following elements of the flight. His flawless planning and execution of the flight were largely responsible for the success of the mission. Commander Kopfman’s courageous determination and selfless devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself and 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 [then Lieutenant Commander] Theodore Frank Kopfman (NSN: 0-597544), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on 14 March 1966, as the Pilot of an A-4 light jet attack aircraft, serving with Attack Squadron FIFTY-FIVE (VA-55), deployed aboard the aircraft carrier U.S.S. RANGER (CVA-61), during aerial combat operations in Southeast Asia. Although subjected to intense and accurate enemy fire, and hampered by low clouds and poor visibility, Commander Kopfman led repeated low-level attacks on enemy gun emplacements and troop concentrations, while maneuvering his flight for the successful bombing runs that silenced the threatening enemy fire. His demonstrated valor, superb leadership, and outstanding weapons delivery skill contributed directly to the complete destruction of two enemy antiaircraft gun emplacements and the disruption of an enemy troop concentration that threatened friendly units. Commander Kopfman’s action were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service.