The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Major John Rendall Braddon (MCSN: 0-57518), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as leader of a section of helicopters, attached to and serving with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron THREE HUNDRED SIXTY-FOUR (HMM-364), FIRST Marine Aircraft Wing, charged with rescue and maintenance relative to downed aircraft as the result of enemy action on 27 April 1964. On that date, the entire squadron was committed to the mission of landing over four hundred troops of the Army of the Republic of Vietnam in an offensive action against the insurgent communist guerrillas (Viet Cong). In the course of the initial assault lift into the contested zone, one of the aircraft was fatally hit and crash landed into the zone. Major Braddon, without hesitation, departed from his position and flew into the direct opposition of the gun that had just downed the crew he was determined to rescue. In doing so, he had to fly into the contested area as a single target allowing all of the enemy automatic weapons to concentrate their fire on him. Major Braddon’s aircraft was hit and seriously damaged by .50 caliber fire. This did not deter him in his mission as he landed near the dismounted crew. Subsequently, Major Braddon once again flew his aircraft into the face of enemy fire to land and evacuate the crew of another helicopter which was badly damaged and crash landed in the same area. By his selfless and daring actions and his loyal devotion to duty in the face of great personal risk, Major Braddon upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Awards Received
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Bronze Star Medal
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Legion of Merit
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
Lieutenant ColonelBatallion:
Fighter Attack Squadron 334 (VFA-334)Action Date:
January – September 1969
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Lieutenant Colonel John Rendall Braddon (MCSN: 0-57518), United States Marine Corps, for meritorious service during the period January to September 1969, while serving consecutively as Operations Officer of Marine Aircraft Group THIRTEEN and as Commanding Officer of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron THREE HUNDRED THIRTY FOUR (VFA-334), Marine Aircraft Group THIRTEEN, in connection with operations against enemy forces in the Republic of Vietnam. Initially assigned as Group Operations Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Braddon displayed exceptional organizational ability in successfully managing and directing the combat operational efforts of the Air Group. Assuming squadron command in July 1969, he skillfully led and directed his unit in carrying out hundreds of sorties and in delivering tons of ordnance against heavily-defended targets with maximum effectiveness. By his leadership, professional acumen, and unswerving devotion to duty, Lieutenant Colonel Braddon contributed immeasurably to the accomplishment of his unit’s mission, thereby reflecting great credit upon himself, the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. (Lieutenant Colonel Braddon is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
Lieutenant ColonelBatallion:
Fighter Attack Squadron 334 (VFA-334)Action Date:
July 12, 1969
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Colonel John Rendall Braddon (MCSN: 0-57518), United States Marine Corps, for heroism and extraordinary achievement in aerial flight while serving as Commanding Officer of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron THREE HUNDRED THIRTY-FOUY (VFA-334), Marine Aircraft Group FIFTEEN, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 12 July 1969, Lieutenant Colonel Braddon launched as Section Leader of a flight of two F-4 Phantom aircraft assigned the mission of providing close air support for the emergency medical evacuation of casualties from a United States Army unit which was heavily engaged in combat with a large hostile force south of Hoi An in Quang Nam Province. Following a briefing on the ground situation by the Tactical Air Controller (Airborne), he quickly located an enemy machine gun emplacement and ignored the intense enemy fire directed at his aircraft as he skillfully maneuvered his Phantom on a strafing run which succeeded in silencing the fire from the hostile position. When the proximity of the enemy to the landing zone precluded the delivery of his heavier ordnance, Lieutenant Colonel Braddon resolutely braved the heavy volume of hostile fire as he boldly executed multiple simulated bombing and strafing runs which diverted the enemy fire to his flight while the transport helicopters entered the precarious zone and extracted casualties. When the extraction aircraft lifted out of the area, he then skillfully maneuvered his aircraft on repeated bombing runs and delivered his ordnance with such devastating effectiveness that four structures and one enemy machine gun were destroyed and the hostile force was routed. Lieutenant Colonel Braddon’s courage, superior airmanship, and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger were instrumental in accomplishing the hazardous mission and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
Lieutenant ColonelAction Date:
January 30 – September 1, 1969
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Lieutenant Colonel John Rendall Braddon (MCSN: 0-57518), United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service as Operations Officer of Marine Aircraft Group THIRTEEN, and subsequently as Commanding Officer of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron THREE HUNDRED THIRTY-FOUR, Marine Aircraft Group THIRTEEN, FIRST Marine Aircraft Wing, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam, from 30 January 1969 to 1 September 1969. Throughout this period Lieutenant Colonel Braddon exhibited superior professionalism and outstanding leadership in the performance of his demanding duties. Initially assigned as Group Operations Officer, he displayed exceptional organizational ability in successfully managing and directing the combat operational efforts of the Air Group to meet a constant 1.48 sortie rate with an average of approximately 100 sorties, and 200 tons of ordnance per day and at the same time maintain the capability and flexibility of responding to surges demanded by the daily frag orders. He also insured through proper planning and coordination, a smooth integration of a squadron newly joined from CONUS. This was accomplished without derogation of combat capability while at the same time insuring rapid but judicious exposure of the squadron to combat action. All this Lieutenant Colonel Braddon accomplished while working tirelessly and with meticulous attention to detail. He also planned and organized a Wing Missile Shoot at NAS Cubi Point, F.I. This was a complex undertaking involving two separate Air Groups, five aircraft squadrons, and a Headquarters and Maintenance Squadron. Although faced with tremendous coordination problems with Navy, U.S. Air Force, and Marine Corps units, he missile shoot was successfully conducted without requiring a reduction of combat operations. Assuming command of the squadron in July 1969, Lieutenant Colonel Braddon led his squadron in combat, and at the same time prepared it for deployment out of country when directed. Both endeavors he accomplished in an exceptionally outstanding manner. Under his dynamic leadership, his aircrews executed hundreds of sorties and delivered tons of ordnance against heavily-defended targets with maximum effectiveness. His remarkable ability to evaluate operational requirements and initiate appropriate actions earned the respect and admiration of all who served with him and contributed immeasurably to the accomplishment of his unit’s mission. By his leadership, professional acumen, and unwavering devotion to duty, Lieutenant Colonel Braddon rendered distinguished service to his country and thereby upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service. (Lieutenant Colonel Braddon is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)