The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting a Gold Star in addition to a previously awarded Silver Star in lieu of a Seventh Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross (Posthumously) to Commander William Henry Searfus (NSN: 0-552944), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on 27 October 1967, as Commanding Officer of Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-FIVE (VA-155), embarked in U.S.S. CORAL SEA (CVA-43). Commander Searfus led a major air-wing assault on an important and heavily defended enemy ferry and bridge crossing within five miles of Hanoi, North Vietnam. Skillfully maneuvering his force to avoid several surface-to-air missiles and areas of intense enemy anti-aircraft fire, he maintained flight integrity and was able to alert the force on several occasions to take positive evasive action. Reaching the target, he positioned his force for the assault. His flawless and resolute execution of the attack resulted in all weapons being placed within the target area and complete coverage of the complex. Despite the rapidity with which events in this engagement took place, Commander Searfus promptly and effectively made split-second decisions which insured the safety of the entire strike group. His daring airmanship, resolute courage, and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting a Second Gold Star in addition to a previously awarded Silver Star in lieu of an Eighth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross (Posthumously) to Commander William Henry Searfus (NSN: 0-552944), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on 17 November 1967, as Commanding Officer of Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-FIVE (VA-155), embarked in U.S.S. CORAL SEA (CVA-43). Leading a flight of five aircraft comprising the second element of a major air-wing assault on an important enemy logistical facility located in the vicinity of Hanoi, North Vietnam, Commander Searfus skillfully maneuvered his strike element to avoid several enemy surface-to-air missiles and heavy concentrations of enemy anti-aircraft fire while maintaining flight integrity. Disregarding the continuing threat from enemy anti-aircraft fire and missiles, he led his element in a daring and aggressive attack on the target, placing all his bombs on pre-selected aim points with pinpoint accuracy. Although sustaining heavy damage to his own aircraft, Commander Searfus delayed his egress from the area to shepherd another damaged aircraft to safety while alerting support aircraft to render immediate assistance. His inspiring leadership, resolute courage, and brilliant airmanship assured the success of this mission and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting a Silver Star in lieu of a Sixth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross (Posthumously) to Commander William Henry Searfus (NSN: 0-552944), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on 24 October 1967, as Commanding Officer of Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-FIVE (VA-155), embarked in U.S.S. CORAL SEA (CVA-43). Commander Searfus led eight strike aircraft comprising the second element of a major air-wing assault on the strongly defended and previously un-struck Phuc Yen airfield in North Vietnam. When his element was taken under attack by an onslaught of deadly surface-to-air missiles, he skillfully maneuvered to avoid the danger, calmly assessing the situation, alerting his element to the threat, and pressing on to the target. After placing his element over the airfield in an optimum position for a bombing attack, Commander Searfus discovered that his pre-planned aim point was obscured by cloud cover, but elected to circle this perilous area until a satisfactory tactical position could be located. Despite the intensified enemy anti-aircraft fire concentrated within the open area, he alerted the element of his intention to attack, and flawlessly executed a devastating dive-bombing assault that resulted in multiple cuts on the vital taxiways of the airfield and heavy damage to the revetments. After the attack, and during continual assault by enemy defenses, he successfully guided his element to a safe retirement. Commander Searfus’ intrepidity, courage, and unexcelled marksmanship in the face of intense hostile fire were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross (Posthumously) to Commander William Henry Searfus (NSN: 0-552944), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Pilot in Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-FIVE (VA-155), embarked in U.S.S. CONSTELLATION (CVA-64), while conducting a strike mission over North Vietnam on 16 September 1955. Commander Searfus was the strike leader of a flight of eight aircraft assigned to strike the rail complex at Ninh Binh. The strike as planned split the attack group into two separate elements for simultaneous attacks on the two railroad trains and although the railyards had been previously attacked that day and its 13 separate multiple gun anti-aircraft emplacements were alerted to future attacks, Commander Searfus planned and led the execution of a flawless strike against the enemy. Although anti-aircraft fire was encountered during his attack he delivered his bombs into the center of one of the trains destroying at least three rail cars and damaging many others. No aircraft were damaged while the enemy suffered a devastating blow. This strike was instrumental in disrupting the flow of enemy supplies to the south. Commander Searfus’ calm, professional leadership, outstanding airmanship and courageous action, inspired the members of his flight in the face of determined enemy opposition and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting a Third Gold Star in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross (Posthumously) to Commander William Henry Searfus (NSN: 0-552944), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on 28 September 1967, as Commanding Officer of Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-FIVE (VA-155), embarked in U.S.S. CORAL SEA (CVA-43). While leading a flight of six strike aircraft comprising the northern element of a major air-wing assault on the vital railroad/highway bridge at Haiphong, North Vietnam, Commander Searfus maintained strict flight integrity in the face of intense and accurate enemy anti-aircraft fire in the target area. Timing his approach to obtain a precise thirty-second interval on the other element, he skillfully placed his force in a favorable tactical position and executed a deadly, accurate bombing run against the bridge, resulting in heavy damage to the structure and numerous cuts on the approach. By his skill, courage, and determination in the execution of this successful strike, Commander Searfus upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross (Posthumously) to Commander William Henry Searfus (NSN: 0-552944), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on 21 September 1967, as Commanding Officer of Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-FIVE (VA-155), embarked in U.S.S. CORAL SEA (CVA-43). Commander Searfus led a major air-wing assault on the strategically located Haiphong railroad/highway bridge in North Vietnam. Skillfully maneuvering through heavy enemy fire, he encountered an enemy fighter division during the critical time just prior to roll-in. Without hesitation, he called in the interceptor aircraft who were nearby to engage the enemy aircraft while he maneuvered to the attack position. The bombing attack was highly successful with the striking groups placing all their ordnance directly on the bridge structure and inflicting heavy damage. Commander Searfus then led his force through concentrated and accurate defenses, evading the enemy aircraft which were previously encountered, to a safe retirement. His unexcelled leadership, resolute courage, and tenacious devotion to duty in the face of heavy enemy fire reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross (Posthumously) to Commander William Henry Searfus (NSN: 0-552944), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on 3 September 1967, as Commanding Officer of Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-FIVE (VA-155), embarked in U.S.S. CORAL SEA (CVA-43). Commander Searfus served as the strike leader of a sixteen-plane air-wing strike on the strategic Do Xa and Ninh Lao railroad sidings, twelve miles south of Hanoi, North Vietnam. Encountering adverse weather conditions, he changed his planned attack route and led the strike group around an 85-mm. anti-aircraft barrage from Nam Dinh, observing several surface-to-air missiles lifting off toward the strike group. Skillfully evading the surface-to-air missiles, he coolly executed an attack in the face of ten airborne surface-to-air missiles, resulting in the silencing of two of the sites and the subsequent destruction of two others by bombing attacks. Commander Searfus dropped his own bombs into the center of one of the sites, which had just fired, rendering the site completely ineffective. He then coordinated the withdrawal from the heavily defended area, evading one additional missile, and returned his group to the carrier with no aircraft damage. By his thorough planning, courageous leadership, and outstanding airmanship, Commander Searfus upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.