Navy Federal Credit Union

Dean DeTar received his commission through the Air Force ROTC program. During a tour of duty in Vietnam from 1969 to 1970 he flew 264 combat missions, earning the Air Force Cross and Silver Star. He retired as a U.S. Air Force Colonel on July 31, 1980.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Major

    Action Date:

    Vietnam War

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major Dean E. DeTar, United States Air Force, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in Southeast Asia.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Major

    Action Date:

    October 31, 1969

    Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Orders No. G-243 (January 16, 1970)

    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 to Major Dean E. DeTar, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an A-1H pilot near the A Shau Valley, Republic of Vietnam, on 31 October 1969. On that date, Major DeTar led a flight of A-1H Skyraiders at dusk, in mountainous terrain and under an 800 foot ceiling, to attack hostile troops which had trapped a segment of an Army Team. For two hours under the most adverse weather conditions Major DeTar braved repeated arms and automatic weapons, while he methodically proceeded to locate and mark the position of the friendly team, silence the opposing fire, and finally lead in Army helicopters with reinforcements, thus saving the team from almost certain annihilation or capture. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Major DeTar reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Major

    Action Date:

    September 14, 1969

    Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Orders No. G-75 (January 4, 1970)

    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 Major Dean E. DeTar, United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an A-1H pilot in the Que Son Valley, Republic of Vietnam, on 14 September 1969. On that date, Major DeTar, a member of a flight of two A-1H Skyraiders, was scrambled from alert to strike a hostile political gathering in Que Son Valley. Major DeTar effected a surprise attack with great success, and in the face of intense ground fire, completely destroyed the target. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Major DeTar reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Major

    Batallion:

    6th Special Operations Squadron

    Division:

    Pleiku Air Base, Vietnam

    Action Date:

    August 15, 1969

    Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Orders G-5149 (December 16, 1969)

    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 Major Dean E. DeTar, United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force while serving with the 6th Special Operations Squadron, Pleiku Air Base, Vietnam, in action near Ben Het, Republic of Vietnam, on 15 August 1969. On that date, Major DeTar led a flight of A-1H aircraft against a large hostile force of five automatic weapons positions and numerous hand-held weapons in a successful attempt to save the men of an American and Free World Forces patrol encircled deep in hostile territory and in danger of annihilation. By repeatedly flying through this hostile environment so that his wingman could locate and silence the automatic weapons position, Major DeTar successfully silenced the hostile guns and broke the opposing forces attack allowing the friendly forces to improve their defensive position and to build a helicopter landing zone from which they were successfully evacuated. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Major DeTar has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Major

    Action Date:

    December 5 – 7, 1969

    Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Orders No. G-3866 (August 28, 1970)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Silver Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Sixth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat “V” to Major Dean E. DeTar, United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an A-1 Tactical Fighter Pilot in Southeast Asia from 5 December to 7 December 1969. During this period Major DeTar led his flight on four low level missions into the most heavily defended areas of Southeast Asia in support of the successful rescue of an American Airman who was down deep in hostile territory for fifty-one hours. Major DeTar willingly exposed himself to hostile fire on twelve separate passes flying at 100 feet while delivering smoke and other ordnance, and is credited with a major contribution in saving the life of a fellow airman. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Major DeTar reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Air Force Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Major

    Regiment:

    56th Special Operations Wing

    Division:

    Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand,

    Action Date:

    March 21, 1970

    Department of the Air Force, Special order GB-819 (October 12, 1970)

    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 Dean Edward DeTar, United States Air Force, for extraordinary heroism in military operations against an opposing armed force as the Commander of a Search and Rescue Force of the 56th Special Operations Wing, Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, in action Southeast Asia on 21 March 1970. On that date, Major DeTar led a force of twenty-nine aircraft against one of the most heavily defended locations in Southeast Asia to rescue an American airman. In spite of heavy opposing fire which inflicted severe losses on this and earlier rescue attempts, Major DeTar remained under constant attack while he led and inspired his forces to execute a successful rescue which saved the life of a fellow airman. Through his extraordinary heroism, superb airmanship, and aggressiveness in the face of the opposing armed force, Major DeTar has reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel

    Action Date:

    April 11, 1971 – June 30, 1975

    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 Lieutenant Colonel Dean E. DeTar, United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States while assigned to the Directorate of Personnel Plans, Deputy Chief of Staff, Personnel, Headquarters United States Air Force, from 11 April 1971 to 30 June 1975. During this period, Colonel DeTar displayed superior ability and fortitude in managing the first statutory revision to the flight pay system since 1949 and the repeal of long standing statutory restrictions on command of flying units. These accomplishments, which satisfy Congressional concern, provide a stable aviation career incentive pay system, and improve the career opportunities of many aviators, will directly benefit the Air Force and the Defense Department through the foreseeable future and stand as eloquent testimony to his performance of outstanding service. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel DeTar reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Major

    Action Date:

    March 23, 1970

    Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Orders No. G-3044 (July 7, 1970)

    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 Major Dean E. DeTar, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an A-1 Tactical Fighter Pilot in Southeast Asia on 23 March 1970. On that date, while flying in support of a besieged long range reconnaissance team, Major DeTar attacked an opposing armed force in extremely adverse weather and terrain conditions. Through his pinpoint accuracy and devastating attack the team succeeded in breaking the contact; Major DeTar was instrumental in saving the lives of the team and effecting their recovery safely. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Major DeTar reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Major

    Action Date:

    December 10, 1969

    Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Orders No. G-3580 (August 11, 1970)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Fourth Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fifth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major Dean E. DeTar, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as leader of a flight of A-1H aircraft in Southeast Asia on 10 December 1969. On that date, Major DeTar repeatedly attacked heavy anti-aircraft guns and troop concentrations in support of the rescue of an American Airman who was shot down near a major road deep in hostile territory. In spite of hostile fire Major DeTar made numerous low level passes laying smoke and striking the opposing troops, thereby contributing to the successful recovery of a fellow airman. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Major DeTar reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.