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.