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 Thomas Edwin Lacy, Sr., United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Pilot of an F-86 type aircraft, 18th Fighter Bomber Wing, FIFTH Air Force, on 2 July 1953. Flying as flight leader in a flight of four F-86 type aircraft, Lieutenant Lacy displayed outstanding airmanship and leadership while navigating his flight through marginal weather and multi-layer clouds over hazardous mountain terrain direct to the target area north and west of Wonson Harbor, Korea. In spite of an extremely low overcast covering the area and poor air to ground visibility, Lieutenant Lacy sighted approximately sixty enemy box cars. Despite the knowledge of fourteen known automatic weapons in the immediate target area, Lieutenant Lacy maneuvered his aircraft to an opening in the overcast and pressed a low devastating attack on forty enemy box cars in that area. Because of Lieutenant Lacy’s superb airmanship, exceptional skill in dive bombing and devotion to duty, eighteen enemy box cars were destroyed, five more known damaged by being de-railed, one large secondary explosion and one rail cut on a double track. Lieutenant Lacy then rejoined his flight back through marginal weather safely to the home field. As a result of this highly successful mission, vital enemy supplies and box cars were destroyed, seriously hampering the enemy’s potential in that sector. Through his skill, courage and devotion to duty, Lieutenant Lacy has brought 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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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
ColonelAction Date:
March 14, 1973 – March 7, 1974
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 Thomas Edwin Lacy, Sr., United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commander, 474th Tactical Fighter Wing and as Commander, 347th Tactical Fighter Wing, Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, from 14 March 1973 to 7 March 1974. During this period, the exemplary ability, diligence, and devotion to duty of Colonel Lacy were responsible for the Wing’s successful launching of 5,027 combat sorties, which equated to 100 percent of the fragged tasking by higher headquarters. Upon termination of United States bombing in Cambodia on 15 August 1973, Colonel Lacy’s personal endeavor and demands for quality maintenance and operations enabled the 347th Wing to transition smoothly to a peacetime training environment. This was achieved while still maintaining the required combat capabilities, despite personnel turbulence evolving from conversion of the unit from temporary duty to permanent change of station status. The superior initiative, outstanding leadership, and personal endeavor displayed by Colonel Lacy reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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 Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Edwin Lacy, Sr., United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-100 pilot near Kona Giua, Republic of Vietnam, on 25 January 1970. On that date, Colonel Lacy led four F-100’s on a heavy suppression strike in support of a C-123 defoliation mission in the U’Minh forest of Southwest Vietnam. In the face of intense anti-aircraft fire which succeeded in hitting all C-123’s involved and severely damaging two, Colonel Lacy conducted pre-strike suppression, simultaneous strafe along side the C-123’s in the target area, and post-strike attacks against the revealed gun positions. His determined and energetic attacks along with the precise co-ordination and effective use of tactics was instrumental in deterring the intense ground fire and preventing additional damage or loss of the mission aircraft and their crews. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Colonel Lacy reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.