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 Captain Michael C. Francisco (AFSN: 0-3195558), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-4 Aircraft Commander in Southeast Asia on 16 February 1972. On that date, while serving as “Fast Facs” for a protective reaction strike in North Vietnam, Captain Francisco was directly responsible for the destruction of three hostile 130 millimeter field artillery guns. In spite of four surface-to-air missile launches and extremely heavy anti-aircraft fire in the target area, Captain Francisco made ten rocket passes to mark the guns and directed 42 attacking aircraft on the target. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Francisco reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Defense Superior Service Medal
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Air Force Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Defense Superior Service Medal
Under the provisions of Department of Defense 1348.33-M, the Secretary of Defense has awarded the Defense Superior Service Medal to Colonel Michael Cabell Francisco, United States Air Force, for exceptionally superior service to the Department of Defense. The distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Francisco reflect great credit upon himself, the United States Air Force, and the Department of Defense.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainRegiment:
366th Tactical Fighter WingDivision:
DaNang Air Base, VietnamAction Date:
August 28, 1972
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat “V” to Captain Michael C. Francisco (AFSN: 0-3195558), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an F-4E Aircraft Commander on 28 August 1972. On that date, while egressing from his assigned area, Captain Francisco received information of hostile aircraft threatening a nearby allied strike force. Through superior maneuvering and use of aircraft capabilities, Captain Francisco was able to actively support and clear the flight lead resulting in the engagement and destruction of hostile aircraft. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Captain Francisco reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainRegiment:
366th Tactical Fighter WingDivision:
DaNang Air Base, VietnamAction Date:
Vietnam War
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain Michael C. Francisco (AFSN: 0-3195558), United States Air Force, was awarded a Fourth Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fifth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in Southeast Asia.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainRegiment:
366th Tactical Fighter WingDivision:
DaNang Air Base, VietnamAction Date:
September 26, 1971
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Michael C. Francisco (AFSN: 0-3195558), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-4E Aircraft Commander over Southeast Asia on 26 September 1971. On that date, Captain Francisco struck a hostile forces regimental headquarters. Despite extremely poor weather conditions and heavy anti-aircraft fire, Captain Francisco delivered his ordnance precisely on target destroying numerous military structures, underground bunkers, and ammunition stores. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Francisco reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Air Force Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainRegiment:
366th Tactical Fighter WingDivision:
DaNang Air Base, VietnamAction Date:
April 6, 1972
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Title 10, Section 8742, United States Code, takes pleasure in presenting the Air Force Cross to Captain Michael Cabell Francisco (AFSN: 0-3195558), United States Air Force, for extraordinary heroism in military operations against an opposing armed force as an F-4E Aircraft Commander of the 366th Tactical Fighter Wing, DaNang Air Base, Vietnam, in action in Southeast Asia on 6 April 1972. On that date, Captain Francisco entered North Vietnam on four separate occasions to lead F-4 fighter-bombers against surface-to-air missile sites threatening air operations in South Vietnam. With complete disregard for his own personal safety and in the face of extremely heavy anti-aircraft fire and hostile surface-to-air missiles, Captain Francisco repeatedly descended to dangerously low altitudes to insure the destruction of two missile sites in North Vietnam. Through his extraordinary heroism, superb airmanship, and aggressiveness in the face of the enemy, Captain Francisco reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainRegiment:
366th Tactical Fighter WingDivision:
DaNang Air Base, VietnamAction Date:
Vietnam War
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain Michael C. Francisco (AFSN: 0-3195558), United States Air Force, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in addition to a previously awarded Silver Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Seventh Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in Southeast Asia.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainRegiment:
366th Tactical Fighter WingDivision:
DaNang Air Base, VietnamAction Date:
December 25, 1971
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 Captain Michael C. Francisco (AFSN: 0-3195558), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-4E Aircraft Commander over Southeast Asia on 25 December 1971. On that date, Captain Francisco attacked a heavily defended truck park and storage area. Despite intense anti-aircraft fire and extremely poor weather conditions, Captain Francisco delivered his ordnance precisely on target damaging one truck, destroying two trucks, and destroying an anti-aircraft gun position. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Francisco reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainRegiment:
366th Tactical Fighter WingDivision:
DaNang Air Base, VietnamAction Date:
Vietnam War
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain Michael C. Francisco (AFSN: 0-3195558), United States Air Force, was awarded a Silver Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Sixth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in Southeast Asia.