The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Colonel Harry Hudson Ziegler, Jr., United States Marine Corps, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a Pilot with Marine Fighter/Attack Squadron THREE HUNDRED FOURTEEN (MVFA-324), Marine Aircraft Group Thirteen, FIRST Marine Aircraft Wing, in connection with military operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On the afternoon of 11 October 1968, Lieutenant Colonel Ziegler launched as Section Leader of a flight of two F-4 Phantom aircraft assigned to provide close air support for elements of the United States Army’s 1st Brigade, 5th Infantry Division (Mechanized), which were heavily engaged with a large North Vietnamese Army force near the Dong Ha Combat Base. Realizing the seriousness of the situation, he expeditiously maneuvered his aircraft to the designated area and was informed by the Tactical Air Controller (Airborne) that the locations of the friendly positions would require precise ordnance delivery. Despite the adverse weather conditions, Lieutenant Colonel Ziegler unhesitatingly commenced a series of determined attacks upon the hostile emplacements and came under a heavy volume of enemy fire. Disregarding his own safety, he fearlessly maneuvered his Phantom through the intense hostile fire during three bombing runs, delivering his ordnance on the hostile target with devastating effectiveness. His bold initiative and superb airmanship inspired all who observed him and were instrumental in his flight accounting for one North Vietnamese machine gun position and numerous bunkers destroyed. Lieutenant Colonel Ziegler’s courage, exceptional aeronautical ability and steadfast devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Colonel Harry Hudson Ziegler, Jr., United States Marine Corps, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a Executive Officer of Marine Fighter/Attack Squadron THREE HUNDRED FOURTEEN (MVFA-324), Marine Aircraft Group Thirteen, FIRST Marine Aircraft Wing, in connection with military operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 14 September 1968, Lieutenant Colonel Ziegler launched as Section Leader of a flight of two F-4 Phantom aircraft assigned to destroy an enemy artillery emplacement which had been firing on Marine units throughout the night from its position north of the Ben Hai River in the Demilitarized Zone. Arriving over the designated area despite the adverse weather conditions which obscured the target, he skillfully maintained an orbit until visibility improved, and then unhesitatingly commenced a determined attack on the North Vietnamese position. Completely disregarding his own safety, he fearlessly maneuvered his Phantom through intense hostile fire during two bombing runs and delivered his ordnance with pinpoint accuracy on the enemy target. His bold initiative and superb aeronautical ability were instrumental in the complete destruction of the North Vietnamese artillery emplacement and prevented Marine units from sustaining further casualties as a result of the artillery fire. Lieutenant Colonel Ziegler’s courage, superior airmanship and unwavering devotion to duty at great personal risk were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.