Navy Federal Credit Union

Captain Conley was listed as Missing in Action after he was shot down on January 21, 1967. His remains were recovered, identified, and returned to the United States on June 22, 1967.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel

    Batallion:

    354th Tactical Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    355th Tactical Fighter Wing

    Division:

    Tuy Hoa Air Base, Vietnam

    Action Date:

    January 20, 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 Lieutenant Colonel Eugene Ogden Conley (AFSN: 0-19872), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 Pilot in Southeast Asia on 20 January 1967. On that date, Colonel Conley was Mission Commander of forces attempting to hinder the storage capacity along a rail line transporting materials to the south. Determined to drop his flak suppression weapons on targets posing the very most threat to flights behind him, he performed courageous aerial maneuvers which greatly jeopardized his life. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Colonel Conley reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel

    Batallion:

    354th Tactical Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    355th Tactical Fighter Wing

    Division:

    Tuy Hoa Air Base, Vietnam

    Action Date:

    November 4, 1966

    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 with Combat “V” (Posthumously) to Lieutenant Colonel Eugene Ogden Conley (AFSN: 0-19872), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 Pilot over North Vietnam on 4 November 1966. On that date, with complete disregard for his own personal safety, Colonel Conley led a flight of four F-105’s through marginal weather conditions, intense anti-aircraft fire, and the imminent threat of surface-to-air missiles and hostile aircraft to attack and destroy a priority strategic target deep within North Vietnam. His extraordinary courage, remarkable aggressiveness, and determination resulted in exceptional mission accomplishment. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Colonel Conley reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel

    Batallion:

    354th Tactical Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    355th Tactical Fighter Wing

    Division:

    Tuy Hoa Air Base, Vietnam

    Action Date:

    November 3, 1966

    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 with Combat “V” (Posthumously) to Lieutenant Colonel Eugene Ogden Conley (AFSN: 0-19872), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 Pilot in Southeast Asia on 3 November 1966. On that date, Colonel Conley destroyed a strategic railroad yard deep within hostile territory, despite marginal weather conditions, intense anti-aircraft fire, and the threat of numerous surface-to-air missile sites. His extraordinary courage and remarkable aggressiveness inspired his fellow airmen and resulted in rendering this highly significant railroad yard totally unserviceable. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Colonel Conley reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel

    Batallion:

    354th Tactical Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    355th Tactical Fighter Wing

    Division:

    Tuy Hoa Air Base, Vietnam

    Action Date:

    January 6, 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 Lieutenant Colonel Eugene Ogden Conley (AFSN: 0-19872), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 Pilot in Southeast Asia on 6 January 1967. On that date, Colonel Conley penetrated a low ceiling in extremely hazardous mountainous terrain to come to the assistance of a friendly forward operating site that was being attacked by hostile forces. He made repeated passes over the hazardous terrain and weather conditions which significantly contributed to the successful defense of the beleaguered site. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Colonel Conley reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Captain [then First Lieutenant]

    Action Date:

    October 12, 1951

    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 [then First Lieutenant] Eugene Ogden Conley (AFSN: 0-19872), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on 12 October 1951. Leading an F-86 element over Sinanju, North Korea, Captain Conley dispersed Communist MiG-15’s attacking Allied fighter-bombers in the area and severely damaged one. The superior leadership and tactical skill displayed by Captain Conley on this occasion constantly marked his entire combat tour of one hundred missions. By inflicting heavy damage on a Communist MiG-15, Captain Conley contributed greatly to the success of the mission. By conducting his complete tour with extraordinary aggressiveness, and outstanding devotion to duty, many times in the face of great odds, Captain Conley made a vital contribution to the success of the United Nations war effort in Korea. His distinguished combat flying has reflected the highest credit upon himself, his comrades in arms of the United Nations and the United States Air Force.

  • Air Force Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel

    Batallion:

    354th Tactical Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    355th Tactical Fighter Wing

    Division:

    Tuy Hoa Air Base, Vietnam

    Action Date:

    January 21, 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 Lieutenant Colonel Eugene Ogden Conley (AFSN: 0-19872), United States Air Force, for extraordinary heroism while serving as an F-105 Thunderchief Pilot with the 354th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 355th Tactical Fighter Wing, Tuy Hoa Air Base, Vietnam, in action over North Vietnam on 21 January 1967. On that date, Colonel Conley was the Seventh Air Force’s mission commander for a two-wing strike force launched against a heavily defended rail yard in the vicinity of Hanoi. Coolly evaluating the hostile force’s defensive posture, he skillfully led the first flight through the concentrated flak barrages and picked his way past the deadly surface-to-air missiles. After visually acquiring the target, he scanned the area for the heaviest concentration of hostile fire upon which to unload his deadly weapons in order to minimize the threat to those he led. He attacked his target and then, with complete disregard for his personal safety, he circled the target area to incite the defenders to unleash their full defensive might against him, thereby permitting his followers to destroy the target. Observing a hostile missile site near the target, he marked it, ordered an attack against it, and then fearlessly circled back over the target area to seek out other hostile defenses. Through his extraordinary heroism, superb airmanship, and aggressiveness in the face of hostile forces, Lieutenant Colonel Conley reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel

    Action Date:

    October 8, 1965

    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 Lieutenant Colonel Eugene Ogden Conley (AFSN: 0-19872), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as a combat aircrew member in Southeast Asia on 8 October 1965. On that date, while under intense and accurate fire from unfriendly forces, Colonel Conley demonstrated cool courage, undaunted determination, and superior skill in pressing home devastating air attacks against hostile positions. Persevering in the face of danger and death, he relentlessly and effectively aided in neutralizing the hostile forces. Colonel Conley displayed outstanding heroism and devotion to duty and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel

    Batallion:

    354th Tactical Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    355th Tactical Fighter Wing

    Division:

    Tuy Hoa Air Base, Vietnam

    Action Date:

    January 18, 1967

    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 Lieutenant Colonel Eugene Ogden Conley (AFSN: 0-19872), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 Pilot in Southeast Asia on 18 January 1967. On that date, Colonel Conley was leader of the flak suppression flight in a strike against a highly significant and heavily defended railroad yard. Despite very marginal weather conditions and intense anti-aircraft fire over the target, he successfully neutralized a large portion of the target defenses with a devastating attack contributing significantly to the successful interdiction of a vital railroad yard without the loss of a single aircraft. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Colonel Conley reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.