The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat “V” to First Lieutenant Charles Goold Cleveland (AFSN: 18360A), United States Air Force, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight against enemies of the United Nations forces in Korea, while serving as a Pilot of the 334th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, 4th Fighter Interceptor Wing, Kimpo Air Base, South Korea, in action on 5 August 1952. While flying leader in an element of two F-86’s on a routine patrol in the Sinuiju area, he sighted two MiG’s headed toward Antung, Manchuria across the Yalu River. Lieutenant Cleveland expertly positioned himself behind the leading MiG and fired two short bursts striking the fuselage and right wing. Before the attack could be continued the MiG’s escaped across the Yalu River. Lieutenant Cleveland and his wingman resumed patrol until two MiG’s were observed heading northeast. He quickly maneuvered for his attack and closed to 800 feet range firing short bursts which scored heavy hits in the fuselage and tail section. The enemy aircraft lost power after an explosion in the engine and the pilot jettisoned the canopy and ejected himself. As a result of cool thinking in a tactical situation, Lieutenant Cleveland destroyed one MiG and damaged another. Through his skilled airmanship, expert marksmanship and selfless devotion to duty he as reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Awards Received
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Legion of Merit
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Silver Star
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Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant ColonelAction Date:
May 17, 1966 – April 22, 1967
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 Lieutenant Colonel Charles Goold Cleveland (AFSN: 18360A), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Executive Assistant to the Commander, United States Military Assistance Command, Vietnam, from 17 May 1966 to 22 April 1967. In this highly demanding assignment, the leadership, exemplary foresight, and ceaseless efforts consistently demonstrated by Colonel Cleveland resulted in significant contributions to the Free World efforts in Southeast Asia. By applying his incisive judgment in determining the essentiality of request, his expertise and perspicacity in discharging the tasks with which he was personally charged, and his artful and persuasive talents in securing willing cooperation in the accomplishment of inter-staff projects, Colonel Cleveland was eminently successful in insuring that only those matters directly and vitally affecting the prosecution of counter-insurgency efforts were allowed to be entered into the constantly full schedule attending the Commander. The superior initiative, outstanding leadership, and personal endeavor displayed by Colonel Cleveland reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
First LieutenantBatallion:
334th Fighter-Interceptor SquadronRegiment:
4th Fighter-Interceptor GroupDivision:
5th Air ForceAction Date:
September 21, 1952
United States Military Academy Register of GraduatesThe President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Charles Goold Cleveland (AFSN: 18360A), United States Air Force, for gallantry in action while serving as Pilot of an F-86 Sabrejet Fighter-bomber of the 334th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 4th Fighter-Interceptor Group, FIFTH Air Force, in action on 21 September 1952 during military operations against an enemy of the United States by destroying his fifth enemy aircraft, a MiG-15, near Sinuiju, Korea. Flying the lead in a flight of two F-86 aircraft at 30,000 feet, Lieutenant Cleveland sighted two MiG-15s at his 1:00 o’clock position and immediately attacked, scoring hits on one of them in the tail pipe, engine, and right wing. There was an explosion with resulting fire, and the MiG lost airspeed and started to lose altitude with a long trail of smoke. Lieutenant Cleveland did not observe the crash, which was verified more than 50 years later through an analysis of admitted losses by the Russian Air Force on that day. By his gallantry and devotion to duty and to his country, Lieutenant Cleveland reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Major GeneralAction Date:
June 15, 1972 – July 10, 1975
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 Major General Charles Goold Cleveland (AFSN: 18360A), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States. General Cleveland distinguished himself as Chief of Staff and Deputy Chief of Staff, Technical Training, Headquarters Air Training Command, Randolph Air Force Base, Texas, from 15 June 1972 to 10 July 1975. In these important assignments, the professional leadership, initiative, and ceaseless efforts of General Cleveland resulted in significant improvements in military, technical, and flying training programs for officer, airman, and civilian students of the United States and friendly foreign nations. Increased training efficiency, attributable directly to his foresight, leadership, and ceaseless efforts, has resulted in the availability of better qualified graduates for assignment to operational units of the Department of Defense. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Cleveland reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
First LieutenantBatallion:
334th Fighter Interceptor SquadronRegiment:
4th Fighter Interceptor WingDivision:
Kimpo Air Base, South KoreaAction Date:
September 15, 1952
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 First Lieutenant Charles Goold Cleveland (AFSN: 18360A), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on 15 September 1952, in aerial combat as the pilot of an F-86 aircraft, 4th Fighter Interceptor Wing, FIFTH Air Force, against enemies of the United Nations in Korea. As flight leader in a flight giving cover to fighter-bombers, Lieutenant Cleveland intercepted four MiG’s and during the attack became separated from his element. Continuing to harass the enemy with his wingman, Lieutenant Cleveland followed them through two, three-hundred and sixty degree turns, closed and fired at the number four MiG causing extensive damage. Following the MiG’s through several violent evasive maneuvers he closed and fired again, causing the MiG to burst into flames and dive to the ground. Lieutenant Cleveland’s superior airmanship and initiative resulted in the annihilation of one Communist MiG reflecting great credit upon himself, his comrades-in-arms of the United Nations and the United States Air Force.
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Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant GeneralAction Date:
July 1981 – August 1984
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant General Charles Goold Cleveland (AFSN: 18360A), United States Air Force, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States, culminating as Commander of Air University at Maxwell AFB, Alabama, from July 1981 until August 1984. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Cleveland culminate a long and distinguished career in the service of his country and his dedicated contributions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army.