The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Commander Albert Arthur Schaufelberger, Jr., United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Commanding Officer of Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED FORTY-SIX (VA-146), a unit of Attack Carrier Air Wing FOURTEEN, embarked in U.S.S. RANGER (CVA-61) during the devastatingly effective attack on the Haiphong petroleum and oil storage area on 29 June 1966. Commander Schaufelberger materially contributed to the extremely detailed and effective planning which characterized this strike. Selected to fly the lead aircraft of the strike group, he led the formation toward a previously struck target in a feint group in optimum position at the planned time. He made the first attack on the target and despite heavy enemy gunfire, put his bombs precisely on target. Following his lead, the entire strike group placed all ordnance inside the target area, with the resultant destruction of an estimated forty percent of the entire supply of North Vietnamese petroleum products. Commander Schaufelberger’s calm professionalism, inspiring courage, and dedicated devotion to duty in the face of extremely hazardous flying conditions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Awards Received
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Legion of Merit
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Distinguished Flying Cross
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Commander Albert Arthur Schaufelberger, Jr., United States Navy, was awarded a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Commanding Officer of Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED FORTY-SIX (VA-146), a unit of Attack Carrier Air Wing FOURTEEN, embarked in U.S.S. RANGER (CVA-61) in Southeast Asia.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderBatallion:
Attack Squadron 146 (VA-146)Regiment:
Attack Carrier Air Wing 14Division:
U.S.S. Ranger (CVA-61)Action Date:
June 21, 1966
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 Commander Albert Arthur Schaufelberger, Jr., United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Commanding Officer of Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED FORTY-SIX (VA-146), a unit of Attack Carrier Air Wing FOURTEEN, embarked in U.S.S. RANGER (CVA-61) while leading a successful strike against the Hai Duong Bridge in North Vietnam on 21 June 1966. Despite heavy enemy gun and missile opposition, striking according to his plan, and led in the attack by Commander Schaufelberger, the flight inflicted severe damage on this key communications link between Hanoi and Haiphong. In addition to planning and leading, Commander Schaufelberger, in the face of direct enemy gunfire, with shells bursting about his aircraft, persisted in attacking and personally destroying one heavy caliber gun site thereby facilitating the efforts of the following strike aircraft which attacked and retired without damage. Commander Schaufelberger’s courage, professionalism, and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderBatallion:
Attack Squadron 146 (VA-146)Regiment:
Attack Carrier Air Wing 14Division:
U.S.S. Ranger (CVA-61)Action Date:
February – August 1966
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Commander Albert Arthur Schaufelberger, Jr., United States Navy, for heroic service in connection with operations against the enemy while attached to and commanding Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED FORTY-SIX (VA-146), a unit of Attack Carrier Air Wing FOURTEEN embarked in U.S.S. RANGER (CVA-61) from February to August 1966. Under the leadership of Commander Schaufelberger, his squadron led all others embarked in numbers of combat missions and combat hours flown. During this period his extensive knowledge was repeatedly called upon in the planning, weaponeering and selection of tactics for a wide variety of targets. The bet measurement of his judgment and outstanding leadership is that in well over 2600 combat sorties flown under his command not one pilot was lost, and only one aircraft was lost to enemy action. He personally led over 170 combat missions, more than any other pilot embarked. He was called upon to lead some of the most demanding strikes for which the Air Wing was scheduled and his superior planning and judgment during these strikes were superbly demonstrated by the fact that not one airplane was ever lost or seriously damaged. Commander Schaufelberger’s outstanding dedication, dynamic leadership, and unwavering devotion to duty reflected great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. (Commander Schaufelberger is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)