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, Junior Grade Ronald E. Amidon (NSN: 0-683119), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Radar Intercept Officer attached to Fighting Squadron TWO HUNDRED THIRTEEN (VF-213), embarked in U.S.S. KITTY HAWK (CVA-63), during a highly successful major strike against the Haiphong Cement Plant in North Vietnam on 25 April 1967. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Amidon as the lead Radar Intercept Officer in the flight of seven flak suppression aircraft was responsible for the navigation and coordination of the flight. His target was one of several large anti-aircraft artillery sites within the city of Haiphong itself. As the strike force approached the target area numerous 85-mm. batteries commenced an intense radar directed barrage fire at maximum range. As the group came within their range, 57-mm., 73-mm., and finally automatic weapons increased the intensity of the defensive barrage. As the pilot commenced his attack, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Amidon spotted an extremely large 57/85-mm. emplacement firing from a park in the center of the city. From his keen observation and timely call, his pilot was able to switch from the smaller pre-briefed target to the larger more dangerous site. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Amidon’s precise information, in the face of intense flak and warnings of a surface-to-air missile firing, was essential to the successful attack against one of the largest sites threatening the strike force. Throughout the entire attack and retirement, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Amidon continuously called the position of the flak to enable his pilot to maneuver and avoid it, and his direction throughout contributed substantially to the effectiveness of the flak suppression effort. His heroic action in the face of extreme personal danger and despite determined enemy resistance, upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant, Junior GradeBatallion:
Fighter Squadron 213 (VF-213)Division:
U.S.S. Kitty Hawk (CVA-63)Action Date:
February 5, 1967
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Ronald E. Amidon (NSN: 0-683119), United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a naval flight officer of a jet aircraft attached to Fighting Squadron TWO HUNDRED THIRTEEN (VF-213), embarked in U.S.S. KITTY HAWK (CVA-63), during a major strike in support of combat operations in Southeast Asia against North Vietnamese forces on 5 February 1967. In the leading aircraft of the second section of three aircraft comprising the F-4 strike element of six fighter/bombers during a coordinated attack against the heavily defended Than Hoa logistics complex in North Vietnam, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Amidon displayed courageous determination and exceptional airmanship in the destruction of a key enemy industrial plant consisting of 45 buildings. As his section reached the roll-in point for the attack, he ignored the intense anti-aircraft fire which covered the dive path and with calm determination called off the dive angle, altitude, airspeed, and dive corrections that were necessary to enable his pilot to place all bombs on his assigned segment of the target. In the presence of great personal danger, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Amidon steadfastly assisted his pilot with such exceptional skill that each bomb struck its mark with great accuracy, contributing to the confirmed destruction by six aircraft of 41 buildings and four trucks plus severe damage to the remaining buildings. His daring action, exceptional airmanship and courageous devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.