The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant Gerald C. Westendorf (MCSN: 0-92018), United States Marine Corps, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving with Marine All Weather Attack Squadron FIVE HUNDRED THIRTY-THREE (VMA(AW)-533), Marine Aircraft Group Twelve, FIRST Marine Aircraft Wing, in connection with combat operations against the enemy. On the night of 12 July 1967, First Lieutenant Westendorf launched as Bombardier/Navigator aboard an A-6 Intruder aircraft on a bombing mission against the heavily defended Yen Bay railroad complex located in the Red River Valley northwest of Hanoi, North Vietnam. Displaying exemplary professional skill, First Lieutenant Westendorf assisted his pilot in navigating his aircraft at extremely low altitudes above treacherous and unfamiliar terrain without the aid of visual references. As he entered the entrance to the valley, he was alerted by his warning equipment that enemy fire-controlled radar had pinpointed the aircraft. Although aware that the element of surprise had been lost and that the alerted enemy was bringing formidable and accurate radar-controlled defense systems into action, he resolutely continued to assist his pilot despite the seemingly insurmountable obstacles. When the aircraft approached the bomb release point, blinding enemy searchlights temporarily impaired the pilot’s night vision, but First Lieutenant Westendorf calmly issued verbal vectors to the pilot, thereby ensuring that the aircraft remained on the correct attack heading. Disregarding the intense hostile anti-aircraft fire directed at his aircraft, he continued to monitor and direct the attack and ensured a successful bombing run which resulted in the delivery of all the ordnance on the assigned target with unerring accuracy. After completion of the aggressive attack, he ably assisted in navigating the aircraft through the hazardous mountain terrain until he was safely out of the hostile area. First Lieutenant Westendorf’s courage, exceptional professionalism and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of extreme personal danger contributed immeasurably to the accomplishment of the dangerous mission and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Silver Star
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
Captain [then First Lieutenant]Batallion:
Marine All Weather Attack Squadron 533 (VMA(AW)-533)Action Date:
October 25, 1967
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Captain [then First Lieutenant] Gerald C. Westendorf (MCSN: 0-92018), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Bombardier/Navigator of an A-6A Aircraft with Marine All Weather Attack Squadron FIVE HUNDRED THIRTY-THREE (VMA(AW)-533), in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam on 25 October 1967. Assigned the mission of attacking the Phuc Yen airfield complex, a heavily defended enemy base, Captain Westendorf skillfully navigated the aircraft and guided the pilot during low altitude penetration of the enemy’s outer surface-to-air missile ring, and deep into the enemy’s inner defenses. As the aircraft neared the initial attack point, it was subjected to intense enemy tracking fire. Disregarding the intense enemy fire which engulfed the aircraft, and despite extreme difficulty in locating the target due to the aircraft’s low altitude and high speed, he successfully located the target seconds before the release point and released his bombs with devastating effect. By his bold initiative, intrepid fighting spirit and loyal devotion to duty, Captain Westendorf was instrumental in the destruction of an enemy airfield thereby reflecting great credit upon himself and upholding the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
First LieutenantBatallion:
Marine All Weather Attack Squadron 533 (VMA(AW)-533)Action Date:
September 2, 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 First Lieutenant Gerald C. Westendorf (MCSN: 0-92018), United States Marine Corps, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving with Marine All Weather Attack Squadron FIVE HUNDRED THIRTY-THREE (VMA(AW)-533), Marine Aircraft Group Twelve, FIRST Marine Aircraft Wing, in connection with combat operations against the enemy. On the night of 2 September 1967, First Lieutenant Westendorf launched as Bombardier/Navigator aboard an A-6 Intruder aircraft assigned to attack a heavily defended and vital enemy naval supply area north of Hon Gay, North Vietnam. Skillfully employing his navigational equipment, he directed his pilot on a low altitude route which utilized irregular terrain features to maximum advantage and allowed the aircraft to penetrate deep into enemy territory before being discovered. Upon reaching the vicinity of Hon Gay, he quickly located the target area and rapidly commenced computing accurate attack information, simultaneously observing that his aircraft had come under enemy radar surveillance. Immediately employing his electronic countermeasures systems, he steadfastly continued to monitor his sophisticated equipment although his aircraft came under a heavy volume of fire from enemy anti-aircraft weapons. Disregarding the hostile fire directed at his aircraft, he provided precise bomb release data which enabled the pilot to deliver his ordnance with devastating accuracy, causing several large secondary explosions in the target complex. Departing the area, he exhibited exemplary skill in repeatedly vectoring his aircraft around massive concentrations of enemy fire, enabling the aircraft to successfully return to the Chu Lai Air Base. First Lieutenant Westendorf’s courage, exceptional professionalism and steadfast devotion to duty were instrumental in the successful accomplishment of the hazardous mission and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.