The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Diego Edyl Hernandez (NSN: 0-526731/1310), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a jet fighter pilot attached to and serving with Fighter Squadron TWENTY-ONE (VF-21), embarked in U.S.S. CORAL SEA (CVA-43), on 19 September 1966. Lieutenant Commander Hernandez was assigned as strike leader of a six plane flight for an attack on two active surface-to-air missile sites in North Vietnam. He brilliantly conceived and planned a three pronged simultaneous attack against both missile sites, requiring precise coordination and perfect timing. With exceptional flight leadership he led the flight to the target area despite adverse weather which greatly complicated visual navigation and necessitated deviations from the planned track. As the flight split into three elements to commence individual attacks, he observed the launching of three surface-to-air missiles from his target site. While taking aggressive evasive action, he pressed on with his section and commenced a pop-up maneuver to set up an attack on the site. Anti-aircraft artillery and automatic weapons fire were intense. Forced to execute a shallow dive because of the low cloud ceiling and in spite of repeated warnings of additional missiles in the air, he courageously continued and delivered his bombs precisely on the target site. Through outstanding leadership, exceptional airmanship, and heroic action in the face of great danger, Lieutenant Commander Hernandez assured the success of this mission and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Awards Received
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Legion of Merit
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Navy Distinguished Service Medal
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Silver Star
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Legion of Merit
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Navy Distinguished Service Medal
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Legion of Merit
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Captain Diego Edyl Hernandez (NSN: 0-526731/1310), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commanding Officer, U.S.S. JOHN F. KENNEDY (CV-67), from June 1980 to August 1981. An outstanding leader and manager, Captain Hernandez impressively guided his command through pre-deployment workups, a Mediterranean deployment, and a programmed shipyard repair availability. During the eight month deployment to the Mediterranean, U.S.S. JOHN F. KENNEDY completed 18,425 flight hours and 7,911 arrested landings without loss of life or aircraft. Throughout his tour of command, Captain Hernandez established and maintained an exceptionally high state of readiness within KENNEDY which fostered a level of performance and reliability second to none. Under his guidance, KENNEDY proved to be an increasingly indispensable strategic force and provided reassurance to our allies of our ability to project a potent deterrence to potential opponents of peace under any circumstances. By his outstanding perseverance, astute judgment, and inspiring devotion to duty, Captain Hernandez reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Navy Distinguished Service Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Vice AdmiralAction Date:
August 1986 – January 1989
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Vice Admiral Diego Edyl Hernandez (NSN: 0-526731/1310), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Commander THIRD Fleet from August 1986 to January 1989. Vice Admiral Hernandez led the transformation of the THIRD Fleet from a shore-based training and development organization to a fighting Fleet. He developed the strategy, operational procedures, and supervised the training program that gave the THIRD Fleet a primary role in the Pacific Fleet’s warfighting plans and deterrence of potential enemies. By his aggressive development of THIRD Fleet’s wartime missions, he significantly strengthened the security of the United States in the Pacific. Vice Admiral Hernandez executed the first major amphibious exercise in the Aleutians since World War II; he led battle groups into the high latitudes in all seasons to develop the experience and confidence to fight in these tough conditions. He spearheaded the development of the Battleforce Integrated Training Program, and through a carefully constructed sequence of exercises, raised an entire generation of Pacific warfighters. Vice Admiral Hernandez’s superlative direction of forces, distinguished service, and selfless devotion to duty reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant CommanderBatallion:
Fighter Squadron 21 (VF-21)Division:
U.S.S. Ranger (CVA-61)Action Date:
December 16, 1967
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Commander Diego Edyl Hernandez (NSN: 0-526731/1310), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy as a pilot of a jet aircraft attached to and serving with Fighter Squadron TWENTY-ONE (VF-21), embarked in U.S.S. RANGER (CVA-61), on 16 December 1967. On this date, Lieutenant Commander Hernandez planned and led a major coordinated strike against the heavily defended Kien An Highway Bridge and the Kien An Airfield Transformer Facility and Motor Maintenance Facility near Haiphong. In spite of heavy barrage and radar-directed anti-aircraft fire and the multiple launching of surface-to-air missiles, the strike group reached the target area and successfully accomplished their mission. Lieutenant Commander Hernandez, personally leading the flak suppression element of F-4B aircraft, silenced an 85-mm. site near the Kien An Highway Bridge with a perfectly placed rocket salvo and then, while checking the other half of his group, sighted an active anti-aircraft site at Kien An Airfield threatening the element of that group. In the face of intense fire, he made a second flak suppression run silencing this site also. As he pulled out of this run his aircraft sustained a direct hit which destroyed both hydraulic systems and rendered the control stick useless. With the stabilator locked in the full up position, Lieutenant Commander Hernandez flew the aircraft through a series of high G, rudder-controlled barrel rolls out of enemy territory before ejecting over the Gulf of Tonkin. The brilliant leadership, outstanding airmanship and conspicuous gallantry demonstrated by Lieutenant Commander Hernandez were largely responsible not only for the successful execution of this major strike but also for the survival of his crew. His actions in the face of great personal danger were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Rear AdmiralAction Date:
August 1985 – August 1986
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit to Rear Admiral Diego Edyl Hernandez (NSN: 0-526731/1310), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commander, Carrier Group SIX, from August 1985 to August 1986. Rear Admiral Hernandez was singularly effective in building and maintaining high operational readiness throughout U.S.S. NIMITZ (CV-68) and U.S.S. FORRESTAL (CV-59) Battle Groups during preparation for and deployment to the Mediterranean theater. Through personal innovation and consummate skill, he developed Battle Group tactics and a unique supporting Flag command and control system which raised the effectiveness of the Battle Group Commander to new levels of achievement. Rear Admiral Hernandez’s dynamic leadership, impressive professionalism, and inspiring devotion to duty reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Navy Distinguished Service Medal
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Rear Admiral Diego Edyl Hernandez (NSN: 0-526731/1310), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Commander, U.S. Naval Forces, Caribbean and as Commander Fleet Air, Caribbean from May 1982 to June 1985. An extremely competent and resourceful leader, Rear Admiral Hernandez was responsible for successfully implementing national policy in the Caribbean region and contributing materially to the readiness of the Atlantic Fleet. through arduous and protracted negotiations, he was able to reach an accommodation between the Navy and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico which culminated in the signing of an unprecedented Memorandum of Understanding. This agreement, which previously had proved intractable, constituted a milestone in Puerto Rican relations with the U.S. Armed Forces and ensured continued use of the vital Atlantic Fleet Training facilities. Additionally, Rear Admiral Hernandez used his extraordinary and unique ability to move beyond his military role and deal diplomatically with the local government on delicate political, economic, and social issues. In his operational roles as CTF 145, he participated in numerous exercises that have strengthened and increased the naval readiness in the Caribbean. Rear Admiral Hernandez’s dynamic leadership, superior judgment, and inspiring devotion to duty reflected great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.