Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Orders G-1662 (April 15, 1970)
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 Colonel Walter D. Druen, Jr., United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force while serving as a Pilot with the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing, Ubon Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, in action over Southeast Asia on 28 January 1970. On that date, Colonel Druen, as an F-4D Forward Air Controller, displayed unparalleled courage and selfless devotion to the accomplishment of his mission while acting as an On Scene Commander for a Search and Rescue mission over an extremely well-defended hostile area. By constantly disregarding the high threat to his life, Colonel Druen remained in the vicinity of the downed aircrew, drawing the hostile forces’ intense barrage of ground fire to his own aircraft, enabling the Search and Rescue aircraft to work in a more permissive environment. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Colonel Druen has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.