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 First Lieutenant Raymond James Merritt (AFSN: FR-44729/AO-2223155), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight. On 19 November 1952, Lieutenant Merritt was in a flight of F-84 type aircraft assigned to attack and destroy a hydro-electric power station in the North Korean town of Kangge. This target was some twenty miles from the Manchurian Border and over two hundred miles from the nearest friendly troops. Diving through intense automatic weapons fire, Lieutenant Merritt, in an F-84 type aircraft assigned to the 49th Fighter Bomber Wing, FIFTH Air Force, waited until the last possible moment to release his bombs to insure a successful hit. While pulling off the target, after an excellent placement of his bombs, Lieutenant Merritt’s aircraft was hit by enemy automatic weapons fire. An immediate assessment of the damage by the Flight Leader revealed a large hole approximately eight inches in diameter in the elevator section. Experiencing great difficulty in maintaining control of his aircraft, Lieutenant Merritt fought with all his strength in order to avoid having to abandon the aircraft. Lieutenant Merritt using ultimate skill, flew over three hundred miles to his home base and was able to safely land his aircraft and thereby allowing it to fly again against the enemy. It is felt that through this display of courage, skill, and extreme devotion to duty, Lieutenant Merritt has brought great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Prisoner of War Medal
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Bronze Star Medal
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Silver Star
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Legion of Merit
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Silver Star
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Legion of Merit
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Prisoner of War Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
MajorDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
September 16, 1965 – February 12, 1973
Major Raymond James Merritt (AFSN: FR-44729/AO-2223155), United States Air Force, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from September 16, 1965 until his release on February 12, 1973.
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
MajorDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
September 1965 – July 1969
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962, takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Major Raymond James Merritt (AFSN: FR-44729/AO-2223155), United States Air Force, for heroic achievement as a Prisoner of War while engaged in operations against an opposing armed force in North Vietnam during the period September 1965 to July 1969. In an atmosphere of enemy harassment and brutal treatment, he continued to establish and maintain communications through unusual and ingenious methods, which resulted in American and Allied prisoners presenting a posture of increased resistance to the enemy’s wishes, and, at the same time, improving prisoner morale. By his heroic endeavors and devotion to duty under adverse conditions of his environment, he reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
MajorBatallion:
67th Tactical Fighter SquadronAction Date:
Vietnam War
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: 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 Major Raymond James Merritt (AFSN: FR-44729/AO-2223155), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Pilot of an F-105 aircraft of the 67th Tactical Fighter Squadron, in action over Southeast Asia in 1965. His professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
MajorBatallion:
67th Tactical Fighter SquadronAction Date:
September 16, 1965
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 Major Raymond James Merritt (AFSN: FR-44729/AO-2223155), 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 67th Tactical Fighter Squadron, in action over North Vietnam, on 16 September 1965. On that date, Major Merritt led a flight of F-105s on a search and destroy mission against multiple surface-to-air missile sites deep within hostile territory. Penetrating the defensive envelope on a low level high speed run, Major Merritt sacrificed the limited safety of maneuver for accuracy in weapons delivery as he courageously flew through a curtain of ground fire to attack the target. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Major Merritt has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
September 1965 – May 1972
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Colonel Raymond James Merritt (AFSN: FR-44729/AO-2223155), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from September 1965 to May 1972. His ceaseless efforts, by a continuous showing of resistance to an enemy who ignored all international agreements on treatment of Prisoners of War, in the extremely adverse conditions of the communist prisons of North Vietnam, demonstrated his professional competence, unwavering devotion, and loyalty to his country. Despite the harsh treatment through his long years of incarceration, he continued to perform his duties in a clearly exceptional manner which reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
July 15, 1966
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 Colonel Raymond James Merritt (AFSN: FR-44729/AO-2223155), United States Air Force, for gallantry and intrepidity in action in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force on 15 July 1966, while a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam. Ignoring international agreements on treatment of prisoners of war, the enemy resorted to mental and physical cruelties to obtain information, confessions, and propaganda materials. Colonel Merritt resisted their demands by calling upon his deepest inner strengths in a manner which reflected his devotion to duty and great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
ColonelAction Date:
October 5, 1974 – July 31, 1978
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit to Colonel Raymond James Merritt (AFSN: FR-44729/AO-2223155), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Director of Operations, 36th Tactical Fighter Wing, Bitburg Air Base, Germany, and as Deputy Chief of Staff, Operations, Headquarters SEVENTEENTH Air Force, Sembach Air Base, Germany, from 5 October 1974 to 31 July 1978. During this period, Colonel Merritt’s significant contributions resulted directly from his exemplary leadership and acknowledged expertise in tactical flying as well as in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization command and control environments. The many initiatives he has proposed and implemented have proven extremely successful, and have directly resulted in increased mission effectiveness of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization forces within the Central Region. The superior initiative, outstanding leadership, and personal endeavor displayed by Colonel Merritt reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.