The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Silver Star in lieu of a Sixth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain William D. Carr (MCSN: 0-83966), United States Marine Corps, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as a Naval Flight Officer of jet aircraft while attached to Marine All Weather Attack Squadron TWO HUNDRED TWENTY-FOUR (VF(AW)-224) embarked in U.S.S. CORAL SEA (CVA-43). On 9 May 1972, Captain Carr was lead bombardier/navigator of the coordinated Air Wing strike that successfully mined Haiphong Harbor, North Vietnam. The closing of the enemy’s main source of supplies was a critical blow and its execution was exceptionally precise and effective. Expertly utilizing his navigation radar at low altitude to guide his pilot and the strike force to the pre-computed weapons release point, Captain Carr encountered both enemy anti-aircraft fire and continuous indications of surface-to-air missile firings. He resolutely provided vital attack parameters to his pilot which resulted in a precise ordnance delivery. Captain Carr’s exceptional airmanship and single-minded devotion to duty reflected great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

The 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 William D. Carr (MCSN: 0-83966), United States Marine Corps, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as a Naval Flight Officer of jet aircraft while attached to Marine All Weather Attack Squadron TWO HUNDRED TWENTY-FOUR (VF(AW)-224) embarked in U.S.S. CORAL SEA (CVA-43). On 29 May 1972, Captain Carr was the lead bombardier/navigator in a major coordinated air wing strike against the Uong Bi railroad repair facility in North Vietnam. Utilizing the A-6A navigation system, he led the strike group through extremely hazardous terrain to the target. Upon entering the target area, the strike group was immediately subjected to intense enemy anti-aircraft fire; he gave his pilot the attack parameters and all ordnance was delivered with devastating accuracy. He then led the strike group to a second target, a surface-to-air missile site, and again delivered the remaining ordnance accurately. Captain Carr’s superb airmanship, courage and devotion to duty reflect great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain William D. Carr (MCSN: 0-83966), United States Marine Corps, was awarded a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in Southeast Asia.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in addition to a previously awarded Silver Star in lieu of a Eighth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain William D. Carr (MCSN: 0-83966), United States Marine Corps, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as a Naval Flight Officer of jet aircraft while attached to Marine All Weather Attack Squadron TWO HUNDRED TWENTY-FOUR (VF(AW)-224) embarked in U.S.S. CORAL SEA (CVA-43). On 24 May 1972, Captain Carr was the lead bombardier/navigator during a coordinated air wing strike against Kien An Airfield and a railroad bridge on the southwest side of Haiphong, North Vietnam. Captain Carr expertly navigated the entire strike force at an altitude of fifty feet, directly into the city of Haiphong. After detaching the A-7’s, he continued to navigate, enabling the two sections of A-6’s to split at precisely the predetermined point and hit their respective targets at Kien An Airfield. His planning and navigation expertise were directly responsible for the destruction of a vital railroad and enemy airfield. Captain Carr’s outstanding airmanship and courage under fire reflected great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain William D. Carr (MCSN: 0-83966), United States Marine Corps, was awarded a Gold Star in addition to a previously awarded Silver Star in lieu of a Seventh Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in Southeast Asia.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Third Gold Star in addition to a previously awarded Silver Star in lieu of a Ninth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain William D. Carr (MCSN: 0-83966), United States Marine Corps, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as a Naval Flight Officer of jet aircraft while attached to Marine All Weather Attack Squadron TWO HUNDRED TWENTY-FOUR (VF(AW)-224) embarked in U.S.S. CORAL SEA (CVA-43). On 10 May 1972, Captain Carr was the lead bombardier/navigator of a major coordinated air wing strike against the heavily defended Hai Duong Railroad Bridge in North Vietnam. Captain Carr displayed extraordinary navigational skills as the strike group ingressed at a daringly low altitude and high speed through the high missile, anti-aircraft and MiG threat areas en route to the target. Despite intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire, he advised his pilot of the vital attack parameters which enabled the ordnance to be delivered on target with extreme accuracy destroying the bridge. Captain Carr’s superb airmanship, courage and devotion to duty reflected great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain William D. Carr (MCSN: 0-83966), United States Marine Corps, was awarded a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in Southeast Asia.

The 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 Captain William D. Carr (MCSN: 0-83966), United States Marine Corps, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as a Naval Flight Officer of jet aircraft while attached to Marine All Weather Attack Squadron TWO HUNDRED TWENTY-FOUR (VF(AW)-224) embarked in U.S.S. CORAL SEA (CVA-43). On 16 April 1972, Captain Carr was the lead bombardier/navigator of coordinated low altitude night strikes by four aircraft against enemy surface-to-air missile sites located at Haiphong, North Vietnam. The strikes demanded precise planning and execution due to the proximity of targets, limited maneuvering air space, hazardous terrain and night all-weather environment. Despite the firing of six enemy surface-to-air missiles and continuous and intense enemy fire throughout the attacks, Captain Carr determinedly vectored his pilot to an accurate attack which resulted in heavy damage to the designated site. His superb airmanship, courage and devotion to duty reflected great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.