The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Commander Ernest E. Tissot, Jr., United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Commanding Officer, Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED NINETY-TWO (VA-192), embarked in U.S.S. BON HOMME RICHARD (CVA-31), on 1 June 1965. In an air wing strike against the Dong Phong Thuong Bridge in North Vietnam, Commander Tissot, as pilot of an A-4C jet, was to attack the extremely narrow and heavily defended bridge with a BULLPUP missile. Despite intense enemy anti-aircraft fire, he guided his missile to a direct hit on the bridge, which weakened the structure and allowed a subsequent hit to collapse a span into the river. The missile impacted at the exact point, selected from pre-strike photography, that would cause the greatest damage to the bridge. In carrying out this assignment, Commander Tissot displayed extraordinary professional skill and marksmanship and bold action in the face of intense heavy opposition, thereby upholding the highest traditions of 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 Ernest E. Tissot, Jr., United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Commanding Officer, Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED NINETY-TWO (VA-192), embarked in U.S.S. BON HOMME RICHARD (CVA-31), during the period 26 May through 1 December 1965, while in the Southeast Asian theater of operations. Commander Tissot led elements of his squadron in eight major air strikes against heavily defended, primary targets of great military importance in North Vietnam. Through careful planning and courageous leadership in the presence of hostile ground fire and missile threats, he contributed greatly to the success of these combat flights, which destroyed 285 buildings, damaged 250 buildings, destroyed 13 sampans and junks and accounted for at least 175 enemy dead. In addition, he delivered damage to the enemy in areas where ground fire prevented an accurate assessment of destruction. Commander Tissot’s courage and tenacity in the dangerous and ever-changing environment over hostile territory were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.