The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Philip M. Drew (AFSN: FR-61139), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force while serving as Pilot of an F-105 aircraft of the 357th Tactical Fighter Squadron, in action near Hanoi, North Vietnam, on 11 August 1967. On that date, while flying an F-105F Wild Weasel aircraft on a surface-to-air missile suppression mission in support of the strike against the vital and heavily defended Hanoi (Dommer) Railroad and Highway Bridge, Captain Drew intentionally exposed himself and remained in the main tracking beam of surface-to-air missile radar sites in order to divert the operator’s attention from the main strike force. In spite of having four missiles fired at his aircraft and encountering heavy anti-aircraft fire, he completely disregarded his own personal safety and calmly attacked and destroyed a surface-to-air missile site. His actions directly attributed top the successful destruction of the Hanoi (Dommer) Railroad and Highway Bridge without the loss of a single aircraft. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Captain Drew has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Silver Star to Captain Philip M. Drew (AFSN: FR-61139), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force while serving as Pilot of an F-105F aircraft of the 357th Tactical Fighter Squadron, in action near Hanoi, North Vietnam, on 19 November 1967. On that date, Captain Drew led a flight of four surface-to-air missile suppression aircraft supporting a force of sixteen F-105s attacking a vital concrete products plant. On this mission, Captain Drew successfully protected the friendly F-105 forces by providing missile launch warnings, suppressing missile sites, destroying a missile site and a ground radar site, and selflessly drawing at least ten surface-to-air missiles away from the friendly forces and at his own aircraft. With undaunted courage and indomitable determination, Captain Drew made repeated entries into a particularly hostile environment, exposing himself to missile and anti-aircraft artillery attack while searching for a downed fellow aircrew until darkness prevented further efforts. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Captain Drew has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Captain Philip M. Drew (AFSN: FR-61139), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force while serving as Pilot of an F-105 aircraft of the 357th Tactical Fighter Squadron, in action over North Vietnam, on 6 November 1967. On that date, Captain Drew provided surface-to-air missile suppression for a strike force of sixteen F-105 Thunderchiefs striking the strategically vital hostile electric transformer station. Disregarding the heavy missile defense surroundings, Captain Drew aggressively attacked and destroyed two surface-to-air missile tracking radars and successfully bombed another mobile, well camouflaged, missile site. By pre-occupying the numerous surface-to-air missile sites in the hostile area he enabled the strike force to completely destroy both of their vital targets in one mission. By his gallantry and devotion to duty Captain Drew has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.