The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Major Ronald Edward Catton (AFSN: 0-3023074/16422795), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force while serving with the 433d Tactical Fighter Squadron, Udorn Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, in Southeast Asia on 30 July 1967. On that date, Major Catton led a flight of F-4C fighter aircraft against very heavily defended hostile ground forces under adverse weather conditions. With complete disregard for his own personal safety Major Catton committed his aircraft directly against intense hostile anti-aircraft fire and succeeded in destroying one of the major hostile gun sites with his ordnance. He then successfully directed the remaining aircraft in his flight to attack both ground forces and anti-aircraft positions. By his gallantry, and devotion to duty, Major Catton has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Awards Received
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Legion of Merit
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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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Legion of Merit
Department of the Air Force, Special Orders GB-375 (May 23, 1973)(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Colonel Ronald Edward Catton (AFSN: 0-3023074/16422795), United States Air Force, was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
MajorBatallion:
433d Tactical Fighter SquadronDivision:
Udorn Royal Thai Air Base, ThailandAction Date:
May 20, 1967
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 with Combat “V” to Major Ronald Edward Catton (AFSN: 0-3023074/16422795), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight on 20 May 1967. On that date, Major Catton was part of a combat air patrol, which observed 10 to 15 hostile aircraft attacking the strike force they were assigned to protect. With complete disregard for his own personal safety, Major Catton joined in the attack against the opposing forces and assisted in the destruction of four hostile aircraft. This courageous and aggressive attack against superior odds, disorganized the hostiles, negated their threat and allowed all friendly forces to safely egress hostile air space. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Major Catton reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainBatallion:
452d Air Demonstration Squadron “Thunderbirds”Action Date:
July 28, 1962 – December 31, 1964
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 Ronald Edward Catton (AFSN: 0-3023074/16422795), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Lead Solo for the 452d Air Demonstration Squadron “Thunderbirds”, Tactical Air Command, from 28 July 1962 to 31 December 1964. During this period, Captain Catton participated in one hundred and seventy-two official demonstrations to the pleasure of 7,714,400 spectators in the United States, Europe, and the Caribbean Islands. His consistently high degree of professional performance under considerable physical and mental stress over an extended period of time exemplified his outstanding proficiency and devotion to duty. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Catton reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
MajorBatallion:
433d Tactical Fighter SquadronDivision:
Udorn Royal Thai Air Base, ThailandAction Date:
May 13, 1967
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 with Combat “V” to Major Ronald Edward Catton (AFSN: 0-3023074/16422795), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight on 13 May 1967. On that date, Major Catton was part of a combat air patrol which observed hostile aircraft attacking the formation of aircraft which they were assigned to protect. With complete disregard for his personal safety, Major Catton joined in the attack against the opposing forces and assisted in the destruction of two hostile aircraft and a probable third. This courageous and aggressive attack against superior odds, disorganized the hostiles, negated their threat, and allowed all friendly forces to safely egress hostile airspace. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Major Catton reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.