Navy Federal Credit Union

Over a span of eight days in May 1967, including back-to-back missions on May 12 and 13, Fred Shannon earned three Silver Stars. Two months later on August 11, he earned the Air Force Cross. In all, FIVE Air Force Crosses were awarded for heroism on that date , the first of many attacks on the Paul Doumer Bridge. The five Air Force Cross recipients were: Lieutenant Colonel James McInerney, Colonel Robin Olds, Lieutenant Colonel Harry Schurr, Captain Fred Shannon, and Colonel Robert White.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Captain

    Batallion:

    13th Tactical Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    388th Tactical Fighter Wing

    Division:

    Korat Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand

    Action Date:

    June 29, 1967

    Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Orders No. G-1307 (August 23, 1967)

    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 Fred Shannon (AFSN: 0-3100995), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Combat Aircrew Member in Southeast Asia on 29 June 1967. On that date, while under intense and accurate fire from hostile forces, Captain Shannon demonstrated courage, determination and skill in pressing home a devastating low level radar bombing attack against a hostile position. Persevering in the face of radar controlled guns and missiles, he succeeded in destroying a valuable hostile asset. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Shannon reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Captain

    Batallion:

    13th Tactical Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    388th Tactical Fighter Wing

    Division:

    Korat Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand

    Action Date:

    May 22, 1967

    Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Orders No. G-1206 (August 15, 1967)

    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 Fred Shannon (AFSN: 0-3100995), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Combat Aircrew Member in Southeast Asia on 22 May 1967. On that date, while performing the duties of an Electronic Warfare Officer in the lead aircraft of a surface-to-air missile suppression flight while under devastating attacks by surface-to-air missiles, Captain Shannon demonstrated courage, undaunted determination, and superior skill in decoying the attack from the vulnerable strike force. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Shannon reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Captain

    Batallion:

    13th Tactical Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    388th Tactical Fighter Wing

    Division:

    Korat Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand

    Action Date:

    July 12, 1967

    Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Orders No. G-1469 (1967)

    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 Captain Fred Shannon (AFSN: 0-3100995), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 Thunderchief Electronics Warfare Officer over North Vietnam on 12 July 1967. On that date, while under intense and accurate fire from opposing forces, Captain Shannon demonstrated great courage, undaunted determination and superior skill in pressing home a devastating air attack against hostile positions. Persevering in the face of danger and death, his relentless action effectively aided in neutralizing one hostile surface-to-air missile site and one anti-aircraft site. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Shannon reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Captain

    Batallion:

    13th Tactical Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    388th Tactical Fighter Wing

    Division:

    Korat Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand

    Action Date:

    August 6, 1967

    Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Orders No. G-1868 (October 30, 1967)

    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 Fred Shannon (AFSN: 0-3100995), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a combat aircrew member in Southeast Asia on 6 August 1967. On that date, while under intense and accurate fire from opposing forces, Captain Shannon demonstrated courage, undaunted determination and superior skill in pressing home a devastating air attack against hostile positions. Persevering in the face of danger and death, he relentlessly and effectively aided in neutralizing the hostile forces. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Shannon reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Captain

    Batallion:

    13th Tactical Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    388th Tactical Fighter Wing

    Division:

    Korat Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand

    Action Date:

    May 20, 1967

    Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Order G-2124 (November 30, 1967)

    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 a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Silver Star to Captain Fred Shannon (AFSN: 0-3100995), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force while serving as an F-105 Electronics Warfare Officer of the 13th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 388th Tactical Fighter Wing, Korat Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, in action near Hanoi, North Vietnam, on 20 May 1967. On that date, Captain Shannon exhibited outstanding courage, initiative and determination in leading a defense suppression flight in support of a major strike force attacking a critical hostile target eight miles north of Hanoi. Suppressing three missile sites, and maneuvering six missiles and inflicting heavy damage to hostile anti-aircraft artillery sites while permitting the strike force to operate unscathed demonstrated the highest degree of courageous judgment in the face of overwhelming defenses. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Captain Shannon has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Air Force Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Captain

    Batallion:

    13th Tactical Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    388th Tactical Fighter Wing

    Division:

    Korat Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand

    Action Date:

    August 11, 1967

    Department of the Air Force, Special Order GB-123 (March 27, 1968)

    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 Captain Fred Shannon (AFSN: 0-3100995), United States Air Force, for extraordinary heroism in military operations against an opposing armed force as an F-105 Electronics Warfare Officer of the 13th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 388th Tactical Fighter Wing, Korat Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, in action in the lead aircraft of a flak suppression flight near Hanoi, North Vietnam, on 11 August 1967. On that date, Captain Shannon suppressed six active surface-to-air missile sites defending a strategic highway and railroad bridge. Despite concentrated barrages of anti-aircraft fire and three missiles directed against his flight, Captain Shannon displayed the highest degree of courageous leadership in destroying two missile sites and in forcing the other four into sporadic operation. As a direct result of his actions, the strike force suffered no losses and imposed extensive damage on this vital target. Through his extraordinary heroism, superb airmanship, and aggressiveness in the face of hostile forces, Captain Shannon reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Captain

    Batallion:

    13th Tactical Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    388th Tactical Fighter Wing

    Division:

    Korat Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand

    Action Date:

    July 31, 1967

    Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Orders No. G-2092 (November 26, 1967)

    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 Captain Fred Shannon (AFSN: 0-3100995), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an Electronics Warfare Officer over Southeast Asia on 31 July 1967. On that date, flying through intense anti-aircraft fire, Captain Shannon exhibited superior initiative and courage as he pressed an attack on a hostile surface-to-air missile complex. Persevering in the face of danger he participated in the destruction of one hostile missile site while suppressing four others in providing security for a major strike force attacking a heavily defended target. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Shannon reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Captain

    Batallion:

    13th Tactical Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    388th Tactical Fighter Wing

    Division:

    Korat Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand

    Action Date:

    May 12, 1967

    Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Order G-1131 (August 3, 1967)

    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 Captain Fred Shannon (AFSN: 0-3100995), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force while serving as an F-105 Electronics Warfare Officer of the 13th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 388th Tactical Fighter Wing, Korat Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, in action near Hanoi, North Vietnam, on 12 May 1967. On that date, while performing duties as an Electronic Warfare Officer in a specially equipped F-105F Thunderchief, Captain Shannon was instrumental in leading an “Iron Hand” flight in support of a large strike force which was under constant, imminent threat by hostile radar-controlled anti-aircraft and surface-to-air missile fire. Persevering in the face of danger and death, he relentlessly and effectively aided in neutralizing the hostile forces, and in the destruction of two hostile SA-2 sites. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Captain Shannon has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Captain

    Batallion:

    13th Tactical Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    388th Tactical Fighter Wing

    Division:

    Korat Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand

    Action Date:

    May 13, 1967

    Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Order G-1390 (September 2, 1967)

    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 a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Captain Fred Shannon (AFSN: 0-3100995), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force while serving as an F-105 Electronics Warfare Officer of the 13th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 388th Tactical Fighter Wing, Korat Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, in action in Southeast Asia on 13 May 1967. On that date, Captain Shannon was Electronic Warfare Officer in the lead aircraft of a flight of F-105 Thunderchiefs providing surface-to-air missile suppression for a large strike force. Despite intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire and an attack by surface-to-air missiles, Captain Shannon provided the information leading to the destruction of a hostile missile site. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Captain Shannon provided the information leading to the destruction of a hostile missile site. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Captain Shannon reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.