Navy Federal Credit Union

Ronald Schuh received his commission through ROTC at the University of Illinois. During his combat tours in Southeast Asia from 1969 – 1971, he flew approximately 400 combat missions over North Vietnam and Laos. He was one of the original Falcon/Laredo F-4 Fast Forward Air Controllers (FAC) operating from Udorn RTAB, Thailand. After the war, he transitioned to the defense industry marketing F-16 fighters to countries in the Middle East and Southern Europe. In 1981 he resumed flying full time with Southwest Airlines. He retired from the U.S.A.F. Reserves as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1992 and from Southwest Airlines in 2004. While in the Reserves he flew fighters and worked for the U.S. Air Force Academy as a Liaison Officer.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant

    Regiment:

    432d Tactical Fighter Reconnaissance Wing

    Division:

    Udorn Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand

    Action Date:

    August 30, 1969

    Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Orders G-522 (February 3, 1970)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Ronald B. Schuh, United States Air Force, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force over hostile territory on 30 August 1969. On that date, Lieutenant Schuh, flying as an F-4D Forward Air Controller, directed three flights of aircraft against hostile trucks and supply depots in one of the most heavily defended areas in Southeast Asia. With complete disregard for his own personal safety and despite the hazards of marginal weather, dangerous terrain and heavy, concentrated anti-aircraft artillery fire from numerous positions, he made repeated marking passes so that the attacking flights could deliver their ordnance accurately. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Lieutenant Schuh has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant

    Batallion:

    13th Tactical Fighter Squadron

    Division:

    Udorn Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand

    Action Date:

    October 1, 1969

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat “V” to First Lieutenant Ronald B. Schuh, United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an F-4D Pilot in Southeast Asia on 1 October 1969. On that date, Lieutenant Schuh displayed outstanding aerial competence and courageous professionalism in the aggressive pursuance and acquisition of the assigned targets. The tenacity of this officer to attain the objective against formidable defenses is in accord with the highest military objectives. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Schuh reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Captain

    Batallion:

    13th Tactical Fighter Squadron

    Division:

    Udorn Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand

    Action Date:

    August 23, 1971

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Fourth Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fifth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Ronald B. Schuh, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-4D Aircraft Commander at Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, on 23 August 1971. On that date, Captain Schuh, while leading a flight of two F-4D Tactical Fighters escorting an unarmed Reconnaissance Aircraft, aggressively attacked a hostile anti-aircraft position posing a direct threat to the unarmed aircraft. Captain Schuh delivered his ordnance with pinpoint accuracy upon the greatest concentration of fire destroying one artillery site and causing more than two-hundred secondary explosions and fires. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Schuh reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant

    Batallion:

    13th Tactical Fighter Squadron

    Division:

    Udorn Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand

    Action Date:

    May 18, 1969

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant Ronald B. Schuh, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-4D Pilot over hostile territory on 18 May 1969. On that date, Lieutenant Schuh attacked and destroyed a heavily defended hostile facility located in a volatile area of Southeast Asia. Despite heavy defensive fire from numerous gun positions, his outstanding ordnance delivery destroyed one gun position, two hostile military structures and supplies vital to the hostile forces in continuing insurgent activities. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Schuh reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant

    Batallion:

    13th Tactical Fighter Squadron

    Division:

    Udorn Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand

    Action Date:

    November 29, 1969

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat “V” to First Lieutenant Ronald B. Schuh, United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an F-4D Pilot in Southeast Asia on 29 November 1969. On that date, Lieutenant Schuh directed four flights of aircraft against hostile trucks and supplies in one of the most heavily defended areas in Southeast Asia. With complete disregard for his own personal safety and despite the hazards of dangerous terrain and heavy, concentrated anti-aircraft artillery fire from numerous positions, he made repeated passes so that the attacking flights could deliver their ordnance accurately. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Schuh reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Captain

    Batallion:

    13th Tactical Fighter Squadron

    Division:

    Udorn Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand

    Action Date:

    March 26, 1971

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Ronald B. Schuh, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-4D Aircraft Commander at Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, on 26 March 1971. On that date, Captain Schuh participated in a flight of two F-4D tactical fighters against a hostile transshipment and storage bunker complex in Southeast Asia. Despite marginal visibility and intense and accurate anti-aircraft weapons’ fire, Captain Schuh delivered his ordnance with precision resulting in numerous secondary explosions and fires. He then elected to remain at the target and act as a Forward Air Controller for two other tactical fighter strike flights. The outstanding competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Schuh reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.