The Secretary of Defense of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Defense Distinguished Service Medal to Major General Philip C. Gast (AFSN: FR-45244), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service contributing to national security and defense, in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States, as Chief, United States Military Mission with the Iranian Army and United States Military Assistance Advisor Group, Iran, during the period November 1977 through October 1979. Major General Gast implemented United States Government policy toward Iran and directed one of the largest and most complex military sales programs in United States history. He provided leadership to the American military community under the most trying conditions of disorder and revolution and conducted a personal effort to reestablish an effective relationship with the post-revolutionary Iranian Armed Forces. Major General Gast’s distinctive accomplishments reflect great credit upon himself, the United States Air Force, and the Department of Defense.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Defense Distinguished Service Medal
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Defense Distinguished Service Medal
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Legion of Merit
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Legion of Merit
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Silver Star
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Silver Star
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant ColonelBatallion:
354th Tactical Fighter SquadronRegiment:
355th Tactical Fighter WingAction Date:
Vietnam War
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant Colonel Philip C. Gast (AFSN: FR-45244), 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-105 Thunderchief of the 354th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 355th Tactical Fighter Wing, FAR EAST Air Forces, in action in Southeast Asia from 1966 to 1967. 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.
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Defense Distinguished Service Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant GeneralRegiment:
Defense Security Assistance AgencyDivision:
Office of the Secretary of DefenseAction Date:
August 1982 – August 1987
The Secretary of Defense of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Defense Distinguished Service Medal to Lieutenant General Philip C. Gast (AFSN: FR-45244), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service contributing to national security and defense, in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States, as Director, Defense Security Assistance Agency, Office of the Secretary of Defense, from August 1982 to August 1987. Lieutenant General Gast demonstrated the highest quality and finest combination of military professionalism, political sensitivity, negotiating skills and selfless devotion to duty in dealing with complex national and international security issues of the greatest importance to the foreign policy and national security of the United States. He directed the planning and execution of the complex and politically sensitive multi-billion dollar security assistance program with vigor, imagination, and integrity of the highest order. Lieutenant General Gast was dedicated in his constant efforts to advance the policies of the United States through his conduct of security assistance programs. His outstanding work with congress in clearly and persuasively articulating the Administration’s proposals for security assistance legislation is especially noteworthy and has brought the highest personal respect for him from Members of Congress. The distinctive accomplishments of Lieutenant General Gast culminate a distinguished career in the service of his country and reflect great credit upon himself, the United States Air Force, and the Office of the Secretary of Defense.
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Defense Distinguished Service Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant GeneralDivision:
Organization of the Joint Chiefs of StaffAction Date:
July 1980 – June 1982
The Secretary of Defense of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Defense Distinguished Service Medal to Lieutenant General Philip C. Gast (AFSN: FR-45244), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service contributing to national security and defense, in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States, as Director for Operations, Organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, from July 1980 through June 1982. In this important assignment, Lieutenant General Gast contributed directly to the development and coordination of essential national policy decisions, the readiness of United States Forces, and overall management of highly complex operational matters. The distinctive accomplishments of Lieutenant General Gast reflect great credit upon himself, the United States Air Force, and the Department of Defense.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant ColonelBatallion:
354th Tactical Fighter SquadronRegiment:
355th Tactical Fighter WingAction Date:
Vietnam War
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant Colonel Philip C. Gast (AFSN: FR-45244), 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-105 Thunderchief of the 354th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 355th Tactical Fighter Wing, FAR EAST Air Forces, in action in Southeast Asia from 1966 to 1967. 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.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant ColonelBatallion:
354th Tactical Fighter SquadronRegiment:
355th Tactical Fighter WingAction Date:
Vietnam War
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant Colonel Philip C. Gast (AFSN: FR-45244), 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-105 Thunderchief of the 354th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 355th Tactical Fighter Wing, FAR EAST Air Forces, in action in Southeast Asia from 1966 to 1967. 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.
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Legion of Merit
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant General Philip C. Gast (AFSN: FR-45244), United States Air Force, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of 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 Gast and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Legion of Merit
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant General Philip C. Gast (AFSN: FR-45244), 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 Gast and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant ColonelBatallion:
354th Tactical Fighter SquadronRegiment:
355th Tactical Fighter WingAction Date:
May 13, 1967
Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Orders No. G-747 (May 27, 1967)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 Lieutenant Colonel Philip C. Gast (AFSN: FR-45244), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as Pilot of an F-105 Thunderchief of the 354th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 355th Tactical Fighter Wing, FAR EAST Air Forces, in action in Southeast Asia, on 13 May 1967. On that date, Colonel Gast was the leader of the first bomb flight to attack a major hostile rail junction and classification yard. In spite of adverse weather Colonel Gast was able to find the target even though he was required to evade numerous flak barrages and surface-to-air missiles. He led his flight in a highly successful strike on the target and then proceeded to give support to another strike force in the same area which was under MiG attack. He attacked a flight of MiGs in firing positions on the other strike force and destroyed one of the hostile interceptors as he completely disrupted their attack. Colonel Gast attacked the hostile aircraft with such complete disregard for his personal warfare as he was below his pre-established bingo fuel figure prior to the attack. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Colonel Gast has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant ColonelBatallion:
354th Tactical Fighter SquadronRegiment:
355th Tactical Fighter WingAction Date:
Vietnam War
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant Colonel Philip C. Gast (AFSN: FR-45244), 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-105 Thunderchief of the 354th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 355th Tactical Fighter Wing, FAR EAST Air Forces, in action in Southeast Asia from 1966 to 1967. 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.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant ColonelBatallion:
354th Tactical Fighter SquadronRegiment:
355th Tactical Fighter WingAction Date:
March 10, 1967
Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Orders No. G-628 (May 2, 1967)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 Lieutenant Colonel Philip C. Gast (AFSN: FR-45244), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as Pilot of an F-105 Thunderchief of the 354th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 355th Tactical Fighter Wing, FAR EAST Air Forces, in action in Southeast Asia, on 10 March 1967. On that date, as Force Commander, Colonel Gast successfully led a strike force against a major target through adverse weather and intense hostile defenses. After successfully delivering his ordnance, he observed two flights of enemy interceptors preparing to attack the strike force and he immediately attacked the lead flight with complete disregard for his personal safety. He severely damaged a MiG in the lead element and completely disrupted the hostile formation. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Colonel Gast has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.