Navy Federal Credit Union

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Major Robert W. Undorf (AFSN: FR-3117223), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force on Koh Tang Island in the Gulf of Thailand on 15 May 1975. Major Undorf was the flight lead and low forward air controller for a flight of OV-10 aircraft. Being the first to arrive on the scene, Major Undorf took immediate positive control, firmly established the positions of friendly and hostile forces and then decisively directed and coordinated the forces necessary to suppress the hostile action. With darkness approaching, he faultlessly coordinated the final operation with all forces which effected the successful evacuation of all personnel. This courageous action aided in the recovery of the S.S. MAYAGUEZ and its crew. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Major Undorf has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Captain

    Action Date:

    May 4, 1967

    Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Orders No. G-134 (January 18, 1968)

    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 Robert W. Undorf (AFSN: FR-3117223), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-4C Pilot over North Vietnam on 4 May 1967. On that date, Captain Undorf voluntarily subjected himself to intense antiaircraft fire in attacking numerous hostile gun positions, and diverting the fire of many others from his wingman to himself. In so doing, he was instrumental in silencing six anti-aircraft guns, igniting three secondary fires, and setting off one secondary explosion, despite severe damage to his own aircraft. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Undorf reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Major

    Action Date:

    August 1, 1972

    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 Major Robert W. Undorf (AFSN: FR-3117223), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-4D Aircraft Commander over Southeast Asia on 1 August 1972. On that date, Major Undorf, disregarding intensive and accurate anti-aircraft fire and marginal weather conditions, successfully attacked an important hostile position and storage area. Despite the hazardous conditions associated with the strike, Major Undorf succeeded in suppressing the hostile attack and was credited with over four hundred secondary explosions, two large sustained fires, and one hostile anti-aircraft gun site destroyed. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Major Undorf reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Captain

    Action Date:

    April 28, 1967

    Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Orders No. G-116 (January 13, 1968)

    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 Captain Robert W. Undorf (AFSN: FR-3117223), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-4C Pilot near DaNang Air Base, Republic of Vietnam on 28 April 1967. On that date, Captain Undorf’s flight successfully interdicted two separate targets. Despite adverse weather, and intense ground fire which damaged his aircraft, Captain Undorf was instrumental in destroying numerous automatic weapons positions, ten military structures, three bunkers, three underground cave storage sites, and one hundred meters of trench. The destruction of these targets significantly weakened the defensive posture of the hostile forces near Chu Lai, South Vietnam, and along an important infiltration route in the Demilitarized Zone. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Undorf reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Captain

    Action Date:

    April 19, 1967

    Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Orders No. G-1185 (August 11, 1967)

    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 to Captain Robert W. Undorf (AFSN: FR-3117223), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-4C Pilot against an opposing armed force over North Vietnam on 19 April 1967. On that date, Captain Undorf, undaunted by 37/57-mm. defenses and attacking MiGs, was instrumental in successfully destroying thirty-nine military barracks. The result of this single outstanding mission was to significantly weaken the hostile forces ability to infiltrate trained soldiers into South Vietnam. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Undorf reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Captain

    Action Date:

    March 31, 1967

    Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Orders No. G-702 (May 18, 1967)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Robert W. Undorf (AFSN: FR-3117223), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-4C Pilot in Southeast Asia on 31 March 1967. On that date, Captain Undorf’s flight destroyed a vital hostile munitions storage area. Captain Undorf made repeated passes despite rapidly deteriorating weather, hostile ground fire, and dangerous mountainous terrain in the target area. This munitions storage area turned out to be one of the largest yet destroyed in this theater of operations. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Undorf reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Major

    Action Date:

    July 12, 1972

    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 addition to a Previously Awarded Silver Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Seventh Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major Robert W. Undorf (AFSN: FR-3117223), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-4D Aircraft Instructor Pilot over Southeast Asia on 12 July 1972. On that date, Major Undorf, despite extraordinarily poor weather conditions and heavy defensive reactions, successfully led a large strike force deep into North Vietnam and attacked a vital petroleum storage area. Through outstanding professionalism and leadership Major Undorf succeeded in totally destroying his assigned target and recovering all aircraft without sustaining any casualties or loss of aircraft. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Major Undorf reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Major

    Action Date:

    September 2, 1972

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Silver Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Sixth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat “V” to Major Robert W. Undorf (AFSN: FR-3117223), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight in Southeast Asia on 2 September 1972. On that date, Major Undorf in the lead aircraft of a force of twenty F-4D fighter aircraft, participated in a daring daylight raid against Phuoc Yen Air Base, North Vietnam. Despite multiple surface-to-air missile launches against his aircraft and heavy anti-aircraft fire in the target area, Major Undorf executed a clearly superior attack resulting in extremely heavy damage to the hostile air base. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Major Undorf reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.