Navy Federal Credit Union

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pride in presenting a Silver Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Sixth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross (Posthumously) to Major Aquilla Friend Britt (AFSN: 0-3065105), United States Air Force (Reserve), for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 Thunderchief Pilot over North Vietnam on 3 October 1967. On that date, Major Britt led a flight on a flak suppression mission in support of a major strike on a high priority military target. Major Britt overcame four SA-2 missiles and heavy hostile fire to personally destroy and active firing site. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Major Britt reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Major

    Action Date:

    August 13, 1967

    Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Order G-1895 (November 2, 1967)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pride in presenting a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross (Posthumously) to Major Aquilla Friend Britt (AFSN: 0-3065105), United States Air Force (Reserve), for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 Thunderchief pilot over North Vietnam on 13 August 1967. On that date, Major Britt was a member of the lead flight in a force of twenty Thunderchiefs assigned to make the first strike against a strategic rail yard in the Chinese border buffer zone. The outstanding manner in which the strike was carried out and the exceptional results obtained were greatly enhanced by his courage and exemplary airmanship. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Major Britt reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Air Force Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Major

    Batallion:

    469th Tactical Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    388th Tactical Fighter Wing

    Division:

    Korat Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand

    Action Date:

    October 25, 1967

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Title 10, Section 8742, United States Code, takes pride in presenting the Air Force Cross (Posthumously) to Major Aquilla Friend Britt (AFSN: 0-3065105), United States Air Force (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as commander of a strike force of twenty F-105 Thunderchiefs of the 469th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 388th Tactical Fighter Wing, Korat Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, in action against a heavily defended target in North Vietnam on 25 October 1967. Through extremely heavy barrages of surface-to-air missiles and anti-aircraft fire, Major Britt, with undaunted determination and indomitable courage, safely guided the strike force on a devastating attack against the primary target. His superb planning, leadership, and gallantry, displayed under intense conditions, were the key factors that led to the destruction of this highly significant military target. Through his extraordinary heroism, superb airmanship, and aggressiveness in the face of hostile forces, Major Britt reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Captain

    Batallion:

    469th Tactical Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    388th Tactical Fighter Wing

    Division:

    Korat Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand

    Action Date:

    May 10, 1967

    Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Order G-1327 (August 24, 1967)

    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 Captain Aquilla Friend Britt (AFSN: 0-3065105), United States Air Force (Reserve), for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force while serving as Pilot of an F-105 Thunderchief of the 469th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 388th Tactical Fighter Wing, Korat Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, in action over Vu Chua Rail Yard, North Vietnam, on 10 May 1967. On that date, Captain Britt flew the first single ship night low-level radar attack against this vital target in North Vietnam. Flying 500 to 1,000 feet above the ground in adverse weather the single ship F-105F encountered intense anti-aircraft fire while still sixty miles from target. Undaunted, and maneuvering solely on instruments, Captain Britt pressed on to the target where he experienced heavy anti-aircraft fire. Disregarding his own personal safety, Captain Britt accurately placed his bombs on this vital target and obtained numerous secondary explosions. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Captain Britt has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Major

    Action Date:

    July 18, 1967

    Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Order G-1895 (November 2, 1967)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pride in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross (Posthumously) to Major Aquilla Friend Britt (AFSN: 0-3065105), United States Air Force (Reserve), for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 Thunderchief Pilot over North Vietnam on 18 July 1967. On that date, Major Britt was a member of a flight assigned to strike the Kep Railroad Yard located adjacent to the vital and heavily defended Kep Airfield. Despite intense anti-aircraft fire the flight destroyed the trains in an extremely accurate attack which resulted in several secondary explosions. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Major Britt reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Major

    Action Date:

    October 9, 1967

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pride in presenting 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 (Posthumously) to Major Aquilla Friend Britt (AFSN: 0-3065105), United States Air Force (Reserve), for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 Thunderchief Pilot over North Vietnam on 9 October 1967. On that date, Major Britt was a member of a flight of four F-105’s assigned to strike a high priority military target. Major Britt distinguished himself by extraordinary achievement, while flying through missile firing MiG’s and heavy flak to place his bombs on the assigned target. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Major Britt reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Captain

    Action Date:

    May 5, 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 to Captain Aquilla Friend Britt (AFSN: 0-3065105), United States Air Force (Reserve), for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 Thunderchief pilot at Thai Nguyen, North Vietnam on 5 May 1967. On that date, Captain Britt was instrumental in introducing the Air Force concept of night all weather bombing to the hostile forces in North Vietnam. Encountering heavy anti-aircraft fire and blinding searchlights, Captain Britt delivered all ordnance on this vital Joint Chiefs of Staff target. Relying solely upon instruments and radar, Captain Britt successfully evaded the deadly target defenses. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Britt reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Captain

    Batallion:

    469th Tactical Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    388th Tactical Fighter Wing

    Division:

    Korat Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand

    Action Date:

    June 13, 1967

    Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Orders No. G-1203 (August 14, 1967)

    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 Aquilla Friend Britt (AFSN: 0-3065105), United States Air Force (Reserve), for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 Pilot over North Vietnam on 13 June 1967. On that date, Captain Britt attacked an important rail yard on one of the major rail lines in North Vietnam. Direct hits were scored in the rail yard causing several secondary explosions, destroying numerous boxcars, and interdicting the rail line. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Britt reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Major

    Action Date:

    July 29, 1967

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pride in presenting a Fourth Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fifth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross (Posthumously) to Major Aquilla Friend Britt (AFSN: 0-3065105), United States Air Force (Reserve), for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 Thunderchief pilot over North Vietnam on 29 July 1967. On that date, Major Britt attacked a heavily defended, high priority military target in North Vietnam. Despite adverse weather en route to the target he expertly positioned his aircraft so that all his bombs were dropped on target causing severe damage to the area. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Major Britt reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Major

    Batallion:

    469th Tactical Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    388th Tactical Fighter Wing

    Division:

    Korat Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand

    Action Date:

    August 23, 1967

    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 pride in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Major Aquilla Friend Britt (AFSN: 0-3065105), United States Air Force (Reserve), for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as an F-105 Pilot over North Vietnam on 23 August 1967. On that date, Major Britt led a flak suppression flight of four F-105s on a strike against a high priority military target. Though subjected to intense anti-aircraft fire and attacks by MiG-17s, Major Britt successfully accomplished his mission as not a single F-105 was lost on this raid. He further exposed himself to danger in order to aid one of his flight that experienced difficulty over the target area. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Major Britt has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.