The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Commander Henry Merritt Dibble (NSN: 0-504050/1310), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as Air Wing Strike Leader and Commanding Officer of Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED THIRTEEN (VA-113), embarked in U.S.S. KITTY HAWK (CVA-63), during operations against aggressor forces in Vietnam on 22 December 1965. Commander Dibble participated as air wing strike leader in the extensive and detailed planning and coordination of a strike against the extremely vital and heavily defended Uong Bi Thermal Power Plant northeast of Haiphong. As strike leader of sixteen attack and fighter-bomber aircraft from KITTY HAWK, Commander Dibble directed the strike successfully despite adverse weather conditions and unfamiliar terrain. Preceding the flak suppression and bomber elements, with disregard for his own safety and in the face of intense anti-aircraft fire, he led his division on the first wave of the attack. Utilizing air-to-surface missiles he scored a hit in the target complex. Remaining in the target area he coordinated the follow-on bombing attack which resulted in extensive bomb and missile damage to the main power plant, coal and petroleum storage areas, switching and power redistributing facilities and associated support buildings and equipment. By his aggressiveness, courageous leadership, outstanding skill and superb planning ability, Commander Dibble enabled the entire air wing strike to attack and retire without sustaining damage from the enemy. His exceptional performance and outstanding devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.