The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Commander Marvin Dennard Reynolds (NSN: 0-570754), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as pilot of a jet aircraft attached to Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED SIXTY-THREE (VA-163), embarked in U.S.S. ORISKANY (CVA-34), during a strike against a vital target complex at Phu Ly, North Vietnam, on 2 October 1966. Lieutenant commander Reynolds was the strike leader of the second wave of twenty strike and flak suppressor aircraft assigned to attack this target area. In spite of unfavorable weather and the ominous threat of MiG aircraft, surface-to-air missiles, and anti-aircraft defenses undoubtedly alerted by the previous strike, Lieutenant Commander Reynolds skillfully navigated his flight to the target area. The attack was commenced and the weapons delivered on target despite the presence of heavy flak opposition. The mission was highly successful with heavy damage inflicted to the railroad yard and the associated transshipment area without loss to his own forces. His meticulous pre-flight planning, superb airmanship, superior bombing, leadership, and heroic actions served as an outstanding example of the highest order of professional performance by an attack carrier aviator and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Awards Received
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Navy Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Navy Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant CommanderBatallion:
Attack Squadron 163 (VA-163)Division:
U.S.S. Oriskany (CVA-34)Action Date:
July 17, 1967
Authority: Navy Department Board of Decorations and MedalsThe President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander Marvin Dennard Reynolds (NSN: 0-570754), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism on 17 July 1967 as a pilot in Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED SIXTY-THREE (VA-163), embarked in U.S.S. ORISKANY (CVA-34). As the leader of a section of A4E aircraft conducting a search and rescue mission for a pilot downed the previous day, thirty-two miles southwest of Hanoi, North Vietnam, Lieutenant Commander Reynolds proceeded seventy miles inland through darkness and heavy anti-aircraft-artillery fire to the search area where he succeeded in establishing contact with the downed pilot. When the Search and Rescue Commander informed him that positive voice contact with the pilot must be established before the helicopter could cross the beach, Lieutenant Commander Reynolds reentered the area and established voice contact. Due to his low fuel state, he was forced to aerial refuel before returning to the scene, this time leading the rescue forces. Maneuvering so as to evade three surface-to-air missile launchings, he led the flight to the rescue scene. He attacked and silenced a large flak site endangering the helicopter. Lieutenant Commander Reynolds then made repeated, dangerously low passes over the pilot to ensure successful pickup. During egress, he successfully attacked and silenced one of the most menacing flak sites on the helicopter’s egress route. By his courageous conduct, exceptional skill, and fearless devotion to duty, he was primarily responsible for the successful rescue of the downed pilot, thereby upholding the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant CommanderBatallion:
Attack Squadron 163 (VA-163)Division:
U.S.S. Oriskany (CVA-34)Action Date:
July 30, 1967
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Commander Marvin Dennard Reynolds (NSN: 0-570754), United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as pilot of a jet aircraft attached to Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED SIXTY-THREE (VA-163), embarked in U.S.S. ORISKANY (CVA-34), during a combat mission over North Vietnam on 30 July 1967. Lieutenant Commander Reynolds was leader of a 20 aircraft strike group assigned to attack the heavily defended Bac Gianh Transshipment area located approximately 25 miles Northeast of Hanoi. Approaching the target, the strike group was taken under attack by four surface-to-air missiles. Lieutenant Commander Reynolds skillfully led the successful evasive maneuver, all the while maintaining flight integrity and planned track to the target. In the target area, the strike group was tenaciously opposed by intense and accurate anti-aircraft artillery fire of all calibers. Lieutenant Commander Reynolds again directed effective evasive maneuvers to avoid the enemy fire and led the strike group to the optimum position for attack. The target area was uniformly covered with impacts and multiple secondary explosions were observed. Post strike photography confirmed major damage to the target. The meticulous pre-strike planning, superb leadership and airmanship demonstrated by Lieutenant Commander Reynolds resulted in a highly successful strike against an important segment of the enemy’s logistic supply line and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.