Cecil foster joined the Army Air Forces as an enlisted man in 1943. In 1950 he received his wings and commission, and became an F-86 fighter pilot in Korea. There he was credited with shooting down NINE enemy aircraft, becoming a Korean War ACE. He commanded the 390th Tactical Fighter Squadron in Vietnam, and subsequently retired in 1975 as a U.S. Air Force Colonel.
Sponsored by:
Cecil
Glen
Foster
August 30, 1925
–
July 5, 2016
Cemetery:
Arlington National Cemetery
Awards Received
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
First LieutenantBatallion:
16th Fighter-Interceptor SquadronRegiment:
51st Fighter-Interceptor WingDivision:
5th Air ForceAction Date:
September 7, 1952
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 Cecil Glen Foster (AFSN: AO-2054256), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a Pilot of an F-86 aircraft, 16th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 51st Fighter-Interceptor Wing, FIFTH Air Force, over North Korea on 7 September 1952. Flying number three position in a flight of four F-86 aircraft, he took over the lead of the flight when his leader aborte3d. He sighted six MiG-15 aircraft and attacked them. His flight was, in turn, bounced by a flight of enemy aircraft. Lieutenant Foster observed one of the MiG’s firing on his wingman. By superior flying ability, he positioned himself behind the MiG and, by repeated bursts from his guns, sent it crashing to the ground. He was credited with one MiG-15 destroyed. By his outstanding courage and devotion to duty, Lieutenant Foster has brought great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant ColonelBatallion:
390th Tactical Fighter SquadronAction Date:
October 5, 1966
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel Cecil Glen Foster (AFSN: AO-2054256), United States Air Force, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force while serving as Pilot of an F-4 aircraft and Commanding Officer, 390th Tactical Fighter Squadron, in action near Quang Vo, North Vietnam, on 5 October 1968. On that date, Colonel Foster led a flight of F-4 aircraft on a night mission against one of the most heavily fortified transshipment points in North Vietnam. With complete disregard for his personal safety, Colonel Foster led his flight through withering anti-aircraft fire to destroy a large number of enemy vehicles and material. By his gallantry and devotion to duty Colonel Foster has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
First LieutenantBatallion:
16th Fighter-Interceptor SquadronRegiment:
51st Fighter-Interceptor GroupDivision:
5th Air ForceAction Date:
September 26, 1952
Headquarters, Far East Air Forces, General Orders No. 71 (February 11, 1953)The 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 Cecil Glen Foster (AFSN: AO-2054256), United States Air Force, for gallantry in action against an enemy of the United Nations as a Pilot of an F-86 Sabrejet Fighter-Bomber of the 16th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 51st Fighter-Interceptor Group, FIFTH Air Force, on 26 September 1952. On that date, while leading an element of two F-86E type aircraft on a fighter sweep, Lieutenant Foster was attacked by six MiG-15s, and as they passed over, he pursued them. The MiGs then turned and closed on Lieutenant Foster. Although outnumbered and outgunned, he held his course toward the enemy. As they drew together, the MiGs fired across the nose of his aircraft. Lieutenant Foster returned the fire, hitting the enemy flight leader in the tail section, and his wingman in the nose section. Lieutenant Foster’s hits on the enemy flight leader caused the MiG to explode. The second MiG began to smoke while the rest of the flight left the area. Lieutenant Foster made another firing pass on the crippled MiG, raking the entire length of the fuselage, and causing the pilot to parachute. As a result of his disregard for personal safety, superior flying skill and marksmanship, Lieutenant Foster was responsible for the destruction of two MiG-15s, and reflected great credit upon himself, the FAR EAST Air Forces, and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
First LieutenantBatallion:
16th Fighter-Interceptor SquadronRegiment:
51st Fighter-Interceptor WingDivision:
5th Air ForceAction Date:
November 22, 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 Cecil Glen Foster (AFSN: AO-2054256), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a Pilot of an F-86 aircraft, 16th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 51st Fighter-Interceptor Wing, FIFTH Air Force, over North Korea on 22 November 1952. While returning from an RF-80 escort mission, he and his wingman were bounced by four MiG-15s. On the first break, his wingman was hit. Lieutenant Foster immediately rolled over on the two MiG’s attacking his wingman. One broke off but the other continued to press the attack. Two MiG’s were still attacking Lieutenant Foster but, disregarding his own safety, he pressed his attack, spraying his wingman’s attacker and forcing him to bail out. Lieutenant Foster then, through his persistence, encouraged his wingman to stay with the crippled aircraft while he covered him. A bail-out was made in friendly waters and, even though Lieutenant Foster was very low on fuel, he remained with his wingman until successful pick-up was made. He was credited with one MiG-15 destroyed. By his personal courage and devotion to duty, Lieutenant Foster 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:
390th Tactical Fighter SquadronAction Date:
August 9, 1968
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Colonel Cecil Glen Foster (AFSN: AO-2054256), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-4D Aircraft Commander, 390th Tactical Fighter Squadron, in Southeast Asia on 9 August 1968. On that date, Colonel Foster’s aircraft was struck by hostile anti-aircraft artillery fire which caused critical damage to the airframe of his aircraft, destroyed vital ordnance release circuits, disabled several control surfaces and resulted in a serious in-flight fire. In spite of a large twenty-inch hole in one wing, a hung bomb load and no landing flap, Colonel Foster successfully recovered the aircraft. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Colonel Foster reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.