Robert Ronca flew F-86 fighters during the Korean War and was credited with one aerial victory. He was listed as Missing in Action during the Vietnam War, after the mission for which he was awarded the Air Force Cross.
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Robert Ronca flew F-86 fighters during the Korean War and was credited with one aerial victory. He was listed as Missing in Action during the Vietnam War, after the mission for which he was awarded the Air Force Cross.
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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 Robert Francis Ronca (AFSN: 0-41457), United States Air Force, for extraordinary heroism in military operations against an opposing armed force as Pilot of an F-100 Aircraft of the 613th Tactical Fighter Squadron, DaNang Air Base, Vietnam, in action in Southeast Asia on 19 February 1965. On that date, Major Ronca led an air strike on an objective of extreme importance. After aggressively attacking the target on the first pass, Major Ronca’s aircraft was severely damaged by the intense ground fire. Realizing the importance of totally destroying his objective, Major Ronca, with complete disregard for his own safety, reassured his flight that he could continue the mission and did aggressively lead a second attack. Although his aircraft was critically damaged, a determined attack was successfully completed resulting in heavy damages to the opposing forces before his crippled aircraft crashed into the target area. Through his extraordinary heroism, superb airmanship, and aggressiveness in the face of hostile forces, Major Ronca reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.