Navy Federal Credit Union

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Philip M. Drew (AFSN: FR-61139), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force while serving as Pilot of an F-105 aircraft of the 357th Tactical Fighter Squadron, in action near Hanoi, North Vietnam, on 11 August 1967. On that date, while flying an F-105F Wild Weasel aircraft on a surface-to-air missile suppression mission in support of the strike against the vital and heavily defended Hanoi (Dommer) Railroad and Highway Bridge, Captain Drew intentionally exposed himself and remained in the main tracking beam of surface-to-air missile radar sites in order to divert the operator’s attention from the main strike force. In spite of having four missiles fired at his aircraft and encountering heavy anti-aircraft fire, he completely disregarded his own personal safety and calmly attacked and destroyed a surface-to-air missile site. His actions directly attributed top the successful destruction of the Hanoi (Dommer) Railroad and Highway Bridge without the loss of a single aircraft. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Captain Drew has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Captain

    Batallion:

    357th Tactical Fighter Squadron

    Action Date:

    Vietnam War

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain Philip M. Drew (AFSN: FR-61139), United States Air Force, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as Pilot of an F-105F aircraft of the 357th Tactical Fighter Squadron, in action over Southeast Asia from 1967 to 1968. His devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Captain

    Batallion:

    357th Tactical Fighter Squadron

    Action Date:

    Vietnam War

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain Philip M. Drew (AFSN: FR-61139), United States Air Force, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as Pilot of an F-105F aircraft of the 357th Tactical Fighter Squadron, in action over Southeast Asia from 1967 to 1968. His devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Captain

    Batallion:

    357th Tactical Fighter Squadron

    Action Date:

    Vietnam War

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain Philip M. Drew (AFSN: FR-61139), United States Air Force, was awarded a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as Pilot of an F-105F aircraft of the 357th Tactical Fighter Squadron, in action over Southeast Asia from 1967 to 1968. His devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Captain

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain Philip M. Drew (AFSN: FR-61139), United States Air Force, was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Drew and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Defense Superior Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Brigadier General

    Under the provisions of Department of Defense 1348.33-M, the Secretary of Defense has awarded the Defense Superior Service Medal to Brigadier General Philip M. Drew, United States Air Force, for exceptionally superior service to the Department of Defense. The distinctive accomplishments of Brigadier General Drew reflect great credit upon himself, the United States Air Force, and the Department of Defense.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Captain

    Batallion:

    357th Tactical Fighter Squadron

    Action Date:

    Vietnam War

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain Philip M. Drew (AFSN: FR-61139), United States Air Force, was awarded a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as Pilot of an F-105F aircraft of the 357th Tactical Fighter Squadron, in action over Southeast Asia from 1967 to 1968. His devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Captain

    Batallion:

    357th Tactical Fighter Squadron

    Action Date:

    November 19, 1967

    Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Order G-213 (August 29, 1968), Amended October 10, 1968

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Silver Star to Captain Philip M. Drew (AFSN: FR-61139), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force while serving as Pilot of an F-105F aircraft of the 357th Tactical Fighter Squadron, in action near Hanoi, North Vietnam, on 19 November 1967. On that date, Captain Drew led a flight of four surface-to-air missile suppression aircraft supporting a force of sixteen F-105s attacking a vital concrete products plant. On this mission, Captain Drew successfully protected the friendly F-105 forces by providing missile launch warnings, suppressing missile sites, destroying a missile site and a ground radar site, and selflessly drawing at least ten surface-to-air missiles away from the friendly forces and at his own aircraft. With undaunted courage and indomitable determination, Captain Drew made repeated entries into a particularly hostile environment, exposing himself to missile and anti-aircraft artillery attack while searching for a downed fellow aircrew until darkness prevented further efforts. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Captain Drew has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Captain

    Batallion:

    357th Tactical Fighter Squadron

    Action Date:

    Vietnam War

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain Philip M. Drew (AFSN: FR-61139), United States Air Force, was awarded a Silver Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Sixth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as Pilot of an F-105F aircraft of the 357th Tactical Fighter Squadron, in action over Southeast Asia from 1967 to 1968. His devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Captain

    Batallion:

    357th Tactical Fighter Squadron

    Action Date:

    November 6, 1967

    Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Orders G-423 (February 7, 1968)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Captain Philip M. Drew (AFSN: FR-61139), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force while serving as Pilot of an F-105 aircraft of the 357th Tactical Fighter Squadron, in action over North Vietnam, on 6 November 1967. On that date, Captain Drew provided surface-to-air missile suppression for a strike force of sixteen F-105 Thunderchiefs striking the strategically vital hostile electric transformer station. Disregarding the heavy missile defense surroundings, Captain Drew aggressively attacked and destroyed two surface-to-air missile tracking radars and successfully bombed another mobile, well camouflaged, missile site. By pre-occupying the numerous surface-to-air missile sites in the hostile area he enabled the strike force to completely destroy both of their vital targets in one mission. By his gallantry and devotion to duty Captain Drew has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Air Force Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Brigadier General

    Regiment:

    65th Air Division

    Division:

    Sembach Air Base, Germany

    Action Date:

    August 11, 1986 – December 11, 1987

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal to Brigadier General Philip M. Drew (AFSN: FR-61139), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States. General Drew distinguished himself as Commander, 65th Air Division, and as Special Assistant to the 17th Air Force, Commander, Sembach Air Base, Germany, from 11 August 1986 to 11 December 1987. During this period, General Drew’s outstanding achievements and his dynamic leadership and initiative resulted in the improvement of electronic combat readiness for all United States forces in the European theater. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Drew culminate a distinguished career in the service of his country and reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.