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 First Lieutenant Phillip Cunliffe DeLong (MCSN: 0-16434), United States Marine Corps, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Pilot of a Fighter Plane in Marine Fighting Squadron TWO HUNDRED TWELVE (VMF-212), during operations against enemy Japanese forces in the Bismarck Archipelago and Solomon Islands Areas, from 20 October 1943 to 16 February 1944. Undaunted by the grave hazards of fierce aerial opposition and intense anti-aircraft fire, First Lieutenant DeLong boldly penetrated the heavily-defended Rabaul and Bougainville Areas to execute numerous bomber escort missions and, fighting furiously and without regard for his own personal safety in the primary mission of protecting our bombing planes against outnumbering forces of hostile fighters, he destroyed eight enemy aircraft, probably destroyed one and damaged two others. On three occasions he participated in volunteer strafing missions against strongly-defended Japanese oppositions and succeeded in annihilating personnel and destroying equipment. By his brilliant airmanship, courageous tactics and persevering devotion to duty, First Lieutenant DeLong contributed to the infliction of extensive damage on hostile airfields, shore installations and shipping, thereby reflecting great credit upon himself and upholding the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Silver Star
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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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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
CaptainBatallion:
Marine Fighter Squadron 312 (VMF-312)Action Date:
Korean War
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain Phillip Cunliffe DeLong (MCSN: 0-16434), United States Marine Corps, was awarded a Silver Star in lieu of a Sixth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Pilot of a Plane in Marine Fighter Squadron THREE HUNDRED TWELVE (VMF-312), during operations against enemy aggressor forces in Korea.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
CaptainBatallion:
Marine Fighter Squadron 312 (VMF-312)Division:
1st Marine Aircraft WingAction Date:
April 21, 1951
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Phillip Cunliffe DeLong (MCSN: 0-16434), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as a Section Leader and Pilot in Marine Fighter Squadron THREE HUNDRED TWELVE (VMF-312), in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of the Taedong-Gang Estuary, Korea, on 21 April 1951. Suddenly attacked from above by four enemy fighter aircraft while leading his section on a reconnaissance mission and carrying a full load of bombs, rockets and ammunition, Captain DeLong immediately jettisoned his external load and, although his plane was damaged during the initial aerial assault, effectively organized his flight to assume the offensive. Quickly attaining the advantage, he skillfully pressed an attack and, within a period of approximately three minutes, shot down two hostile planes. As a result of his skilled airmanship and tactical ability, his flight destroyed three of the enemy aircraft and severely damaged the fourth. By his marked courage, brilliant airmanship and steadfast devotion to duty, Captain DeLong upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
ColonelAction Date:
June 27, 1967 – September 30, 1969
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Colonel Phillip Cunliffe DeLong (MCSN: 0-16434), United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Senior Marine Corps Member, Directors Staff Group, Joint Strategic Target Planning Staff (JSTPS ) from 27 June 1967 to 30 September 1969. In this important assignment, Colonel DeLong displayed exceptional qualities of leadership and professional skill, contributing significantly to the capability of the JSTPS to perform assigned missions and tasks. He developed and refined plans and programs through which a new dimension was added to the capabilities of the JSTPS to provide planning support to the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the National Command Authority. Through his initiative, ingenuity, and devotion to duty, Colonel DeLong contributed directly to the deterrent value of strategic nuclear forces committed to the Single Integrated Operational Plan, thereby significantly enhancing the security of the United States and the free world. Superior performance of duties as typified above was the hallmark of Colonel DeLong’s career in accomplishing broad and diverse tasks in both combat and other assignments, and highlighted the culmination of more than twenty-seven years honorable and dedicated Marine Corps service. By his singularly distinctive accomplishments, Colonel DeLong upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
First LieutenantBatallion:
Marine Fighter Squadron 212 (VMF-212)Action Date:
February 15, 1944
SPOT Award: Serial 00856 (November 17, 1944)The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant Phillip Cunliffe DeLong (MCSN: 0-16434), United States Marine Corps, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Fighter Pilot attached to Marine Fighting Squadron TWO HUNDRED TWELVE (VMF-212), in action against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands Area on 15 February 1944. Serving as patrol over our landings on Green Island when a large formation of hostile bombers was discovered approaching our shipping off shore, First Lieutenant DeLong unhesitatingly dove through friendly anti-aircraft fire to intercept the attacking planes. Despite overwhelming odds, he fought his plane with outstanding technical skill and, bringing his gun to bear with deadly accuracy, succeeded in shooting three Japanese bombers down in flames and dispersing the remainder before damage could be inflicted upon our units. First Lieutenant DeLong’s expert airmanship and resolute devotion to duty in the face of grave peril were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
First LieutenantBatallion:
Marine Fighter Squadron 212 (VMF-212)Action Date:
November 25, 1943 – January 13, 1944
AFMF PAC SPOT: Serial 7287The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant Phillip Cunliffe DeLong (MCSN: 0-16434), United States Marine Corps, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Pilot of a Fighter Plane in Marine Fighting Squadron TWO HUNDRED TWELVE (VMF-212), during operations against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands and Bismarck Archipelago Areas, from 25 November 1943 to 13 January 1944. Completing his twentieth mission during this period, First Lieutenant DeLong contributed materially to the success of his squadron in the infliction of damage on the enemy. His courageous devotion to duty in the face of aerial opposition and hostile anti-aircraft fire was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
CaptainBatallion:
Marine Fighter Squadron 312 (VMF-312)Action Date:
September 28 – November 30, 1950
1st Marine Aircraft Wing SPOT: Serial 2205The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Fourth Gold Star in lieu of a Fifth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Phillip Cunliffe DeLong (MCSN: 0-16434), United States Marine Corps, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Pilot of a Plane in Marine Fighter Squadron THREE HUNDRED TWELVE (VMF-312), during operations against enemy aggressor forces in Korea from 28 September 1950 to 30 November 1950. Completing thirty-five missions during this period, Captain DeLong carried out combat assignments in close support of ground forces, thereby contributing materially to the success of his squadron in destroying and damaging concentrations of enemy vehicles, materiel and troops. His courage, professional skill and devotion to duty in the face of hostile anti-aircraft fire were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
CaptainBatallion:
Marine Fighter Squadron 312 (VMF-312)Action Date:
Korean War
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain Phillip Cunliffe DeLong (MCSN: 0-16434), United States Marine Corps, was awarded a Gold Star in addition to a previously awarded Silver Star lieu of a Seventh Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Pilot of a Plane in Marine Fighter Squadron THREE HUNDRED TWELVE (VMF-312), during operations against enemy aggressor forces in Korea.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
First LieutenantBatallion:
Marine Fighter Squadron 212 (VMF-212)Action Date:
March 27 – April 1, 1944
AFMF PAC SPOT: Serial 7287The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Third Gold Star in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant Phillip Cunliffe DeLong (MCSN: 0-16434), United States Marine Corps, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Pilot of a Fighter Plane in Marine Fighting Squadron TWO HUNDRED TWELVE (VMF-212), during operations against enemy Japanese forces in the Bismarck Archipelago Areas, from 27 March 1944 to 1 April 1944. Completing his fortieth mission during this period, First Lieutenant DeLong contributed materially to the success of his squadron in the infliction of damage on the enemy. His courageous devotion to duty in the face of aerial opposition and hostile anti-aircraft fire was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.