The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Colonel Philip J. Conran, United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as System Program Director of the Department of Defense Base and Installation Security System Program, System Program Director of the United States Air Force SAFE Program and Director, Physical Security Systems Directorate, Deputy for Surveillance and Control Systems, Headquarters Electronic Systems Division, Air Force Systems Command, Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts, from 1 January 1979 to 7 September 1981. In these important assignments, the leadership, exemplary foresight and executive level managerial acumen consistently demonstrated by Colonel Conran resulted in significant contributions to the effectiveness and success of the Air Force nuclear weapon security programs, the Department of Defense Tri-Service physical security systems development program, and International cooperative efforts. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Conran reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Awards Received
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Airman’s Medal
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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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Legion of Merit
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Airman’s Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
MajorBatallion:
21st Special Operations SquadronRegiment:
56th Special Operations WingDivision:
Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Base, ThailandAction Date:
January 19, 1969
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 2, 1926 (as amended July 6, 1960), takes pleasure in presenting the Airman’s Medal to Major Philip J. Conran, United States Air Force, for heroism involving voluntary risk of life while serving with 21st Special Operations Squadron, 56th Special Operations Wing, Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, in action near Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, on 19 January 1969. On that date, Major Conran, after exiting from a burning aircraft, returned to save the life of another crewmember. With complete disregard for his own safety, Major Conran, despite thousands of rounds of ammunition going off, plus the possibility of exploding fuel, unhesitatingly entered and carried the immobile crewmember from the aircraft. The exemplary courage and heroism displayed by Major Conran reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Air Force Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
MajorBatallion:
21st Special Operations SquadronRegiment:
56th Special Operations WingDivision:
Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Base, ThailandAction Date:
October 6, 1969
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 Major Philip J. Conran, United States Air Force, for extraordinary heroism in military operations against an opposing armed force as Aircraft Commander of a CH-3E helicopter of the 21st Special Operations Squadron, 56th Special Operations Wing, Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, in action at a classified location in Southeast Asia on 6 October 1969. On that date, while attempting to rescue the crew of a downed helicopter, Major Conran’s aircraft was hit by intense hostile ground fire and he was forced to make a crash landing in the vicinity of the other aircraft. Once on the ground, he successfully evacuated his aircraft and assumed a major role in defending the crash site against an overwhelming hostile force until rescue was possible six hours later. Through his extraordinary heroism, superb airmanship, and aggressiveness in the face of hostile fire, Major Conran reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainBatallion:
21st Special Operations SquadronRegiment:
56th Special Operations WingDivision:
Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Base, ThailandAction Date:
February 7, 1969
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 Philip J. Conran, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Pilot of a CH-3 in South Vietnam on 7 February 1969. On that date, Captain Conran successfully infiltrated indigenous personnel deep into hostile territory only to return with minimum fuel to exfiltrate them while under extremely heavy hostile fire. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Conran reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainBatallion:
21st Special Operations SquadronRegiment:
56th Special Operations WingDivision:
Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Base, ThailandAction Date:
May 5, 1969
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 to Captain Philip J. Conran, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an Aircraft Commander of a CH-3E Helicopter in Southeast Asia on 5 May 1969. On that date, Captain Conran successfully accomplished a clandestine infiltration of a Forward Reconnaissance Team deep into hostile territory in spite of poor weather conditions, numerous hostile forces in the area, and hostile ground fire. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Conran reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainBatallion:
21st Special Operations SquadronRegiment:
56th Special Operations WingDivision:
Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Base, ThailandAction Date:
February 14, 1969
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 Philip J. Conran, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Pilot of a CH-3 helicopter near the South Vietnam Demilitarized Zone on 14 February 1969. On that date, Captain Conran flew his helicopter down to tree top level, in heavily defended hostile areas, to successfully deliver his classified ordnance precisely on target. He then diverted south to snatch, from the jaws of death, two indigenous personnel who were missing in action. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Conran reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
ColonelAction Date:
November 25, 1982 – September 30, 1986
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit to Colonel Philip J. Conran, United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Vice Commander and Commander, Arnold Engineering Development Center, Arnold Air Force Station, Tennessee, from 25 November 1982 to 30 September 1986. During this period, the exemplary ability, diligence, and devotion to duty of Colonel Conran were instrumental in acquiring and maintaining advanced test facilities and enhancing cost effective operation of the Arnold Engineering Development Center. The superior initiative, outstanding leadership, and personal endeavor displayed by Colonel Conran reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
MajorBatallion:
21st Special Operations SquadronRegiment:
56th Special Operations WingDivision:
Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Base, ThailandAction Date:
June 3, 1969
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 Philip J. Conran, United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as a CH-3E pilot in Southeast Asia on 3 June 1969. On that date, Major Conran was leading an eight ship formation whose mission was to infiltrate indigenous personnel deep into hostile territory. After the successful completion of that mission, he returned a short time later and in spite of intense automatic weapons fire was able to rescue the team, who had made contact with a large hostile force, thereby saving them from certain death or capture. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Major Conran reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.