The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Stephen Anthony Rudloff (NSN: 0-7945715), United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Naval Flight Officer of an F-4B fighter aircraft attached to and serving with Fighter Squadron ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-FOUR, embarked in U.S.S. RANGER (CVA-61), on 18 December 1967. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Rudloff was the strike leader’s radar intercept officer on a major Air Wing strike against the Haong Xa Bridge, the Song Van Ve River artery north of Tram Khe and the Song Thai Binh River artery north of Noi Thang. Though faced with intensive surface-to-air missile opposition and subjected to anti-aircraft artillery fire, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Rudloff assisted his pilot in leading a strike on a successful bombing and interdiction attack which rendered vital logistic links unusable to the enemy. Through the professional use of his equipment, exceptional vigilance, careful planning and courage in the face of enemy fire, he contributed significantly to the success of the strike and his actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
-
Bronze Star Medal
-
Bronze Star Medal
-
Prisoner of War Medal
-
Bronze Star Medal
-
Silver Star
-
Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
LieutenantDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
September 1972 – December 1972
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Lieutenant Stephen Anthony Rudloff (NSN: 0-7945715), United States Navy, for heroic achievement while detained as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam. Lieutenant Rudloff and three fellow officers planned and executed a sabotage operation disabling five enemy supply trucks used for anti-aircraft ammunition and other supplies, by placing sugar taken from food rations in the fuel tanks. All trucks were put out of service and one engine was destroyed. These acts of sabotage were undertaken with complete disregard for personal safety in the face of severe punishment by the Vietnamese, if caught. By his heroic actions and devotion to duty, Major Cutter reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service. [The Combat Distinguishing Device is authorized.]
-
Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
LieutenantDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
May 1972 – March 1973
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Lieutenant Stephen Anthony Rudloff (NSN: 0-7945715), United States Navy, for meritorious service while interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from May 1972 to March 1973. Under the most adverse of conditions, he never wavered in his devotion and loyalty to the United States and his fellow prisoners. Despite the adversities of confinement, her performed such duties and responsibilities as assigned by superiors and required of the Code of Conduct in an exemplary and highly professional manner. Displaying extraordinary courage, resourcefulness, and dedication throughout this period of imprisonment, he reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces.
-
Prisoner of War Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
LieutenantDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
May 10, 1972 – March 28, 1973
Lieutenant Stephen Anthony Rudloff (NSN: 0-7945715), United States Navy, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from May 10, 1972 until his release on March 28, 1973.
-
Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
LieutenantDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
September 1972 – March 1973
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Lieutenant Stephen Anthony Rudloff (NSN: 0-7945715), United States Navy, for meritorious service as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from September 1972 to March 1973. Through his ceaseless efforts, in an atmosphere of enemy harassment, threat of torture and brutal treatment, he established and maintained intracamp communications. At great risk and in spite of further cruelty, he continued to devise many unusual and ingenious methods of communications, resulting in American and Allied prisoners resisting the enemy’s demands and at the same time improving the prisoners’ morale. By his heroic endeavors, exceptional skill, and devotion to duty, he reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces. [The Combat Distinguishing Device is authorized.]
-
Silver Star
Service:
United States NavyRank:
LieutenantBatallion:
Fighter Squadron 92 (VF-92)Division:
U.S.S. Constellation (CVA-64)Action Date:
May 10, 1972
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Stephen Anthony Rudloff (NSN: 0-7945715), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy as a Naval flight officer of jet aircraft in Fighter Squadron NINETY-TWO (VF-92), embarked in the U.S.S. CONSTELLATION (CVA-64). On 10 May 1972, Lieutenant Rudloff launched as the radar intercept officer with the leader of a section of aircraft on a target combat air patrol mission, protecting the striking force in a raid against the Hai Duong Complex, North Vietnam. Encountering heavy opposition from accurately directed anti-aircraft artillery and expecting surface-to-air missiles in the target area, he assisted his pilot in maneuvering his section against an oncoming MiG threat consisting of approximately ten MiG-17, two MiG-19 and two MiG-21 aircraft. Fully aware that the turn toward the airborne enemy threat would necessitate the transit of concentrated anti-aircraft artillery fire, he nevertheless pressed the attack with determined aggressiveness, intent upon engaging and destroying the enemy which had attacked the main striking force. As he gallantly strove to defend the lives of his colleagues against the numerically superior airborne enemy flight, he was forced to abandon his aircraft deep within hostile territory when it was destroyed by a barrage of anti-aircraft artillery. Lieutenant Rudloff’s courage, superb airmanship and fearless devotion to duty reflected great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.