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 Commander Burton Hale Shepherd (NSN: 0-507539), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a pilot of a jet aircraft Commanding Attack Carrier Air Wing SIXTEEN, embarked in U.S.S. ORISKANY (CVA-34), on 25 October 1967. Commander Shepherd was the leader of a 23 aircraft strike against the enemy’s largest airfield capable of supporting jet fighter and light jet bomber operations. Phuc Yen Airfield is located only 11 miles north of Hanoi and is heavily defended by 14 surface-to-air missile sites and innumerable anti-aircraft artillery batteries. Commander Shepherd led the strike group over 100 miles into enemy territory. He carefully chose the safest possible rout to minimize the dangers to the strike group. However, the last 30 miles into the target were across the heavily populated and heavily defended Red River Valley. Commander Shepherd led the strike group’s dash through the gauntlet of enemy defenses, and skillfully avoided or evaded each assault by anti-aircraft artillery or missiles. Despite the constantly increasing volume of lethal fire, he led the strike group’s devastating attack and placed his bombs precisely on target. Commander Shepherd’s heroic actions 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 Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Commander Burton Hale Shepherd (NSN: 0-507539), United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a pilot of a jet aircraft while Commanding Attack Carrier Air Wing SIXTEEN, embarked in U.S.S. ORISKANY (CVA-34), on 3 August 1967. Commander Shepherd led a major Air Wing strike against a concealed, mobile surface-to-air site near the city of Haiphong in North Vietnam. Making maximum use of current intelligence, Commander Shepherd precisely planned the most advantageous route to the target, and selected aim points to assure maximum destruction of the target,. Commander Shepherd skillfully led the strike group to the target area through enemy opposition consisting of three surface-to-air missiles and heavy anti-aircraft artillery fire. Maneuvering the strike group into the most advantageous attack position, Commander Shepherd led the attack on the missile site. So precise and effective was the attack, that post-strike bomb damage assessment confirmed three surface-to-air missiles with their launchers and one missile transporter with a missile aboard, were destroyed. Commander Shepherd’s excellent planning, aggressiveness and skillful airmanship were instrumental in the mission’s success 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 Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Commander Burton Hale Shepherd (NSN: 0-507539), United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a pilot of a jet aircraft Commanding Attack Carrier Air Wing SIXTEEN, embarked in U.S.S. ORISKANY (CVA-34), over hostile North Vietnamese territory on 11 September 1967. Leading a division of flak suppression aircraft, Commander Shepherd accelerated ahead of the strike force as they approached the heavily defended enemy coast. The enemy responded with a volley of four surface-to-air missiles. After evading the missiles, Commander Shepherd detached two aircraft to cover the strike group’s route to the target and then led his wingman through intensely accurate anti-aircraft fire to the area where the enemy missiles had been observed lifting off. As they approached the area, he observed one of the surface to air missile suppression element’s weapons impact in the site. With his as his aim point, he led his section through a fusillade of enemy anti-aircraft fire in a crippling attack on the missile site below. He scored direct hits with his bombs which set off two large secondary explosions and sent orange smoke associated with destroyed missiles billowing to 1,000 feet. So successful were the diversionary tactics that the strike aircraft penetrated the enemy defenses unscathed and scored direct hits on the vital bridges. As an added bonus, two surface-to-air missile sites were put out of commission. Commander Shepherd’s detailed planning, brilliant deployment of forces, and outstanding aerial leadership, and accomplished destruction of enemy missiles ensured the success of the mission. His actions 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 Third Gold Star in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Commander Burton Hale Shepherd (NSN: 0-507539), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a pilot of a jet aircraft Commanding Attack Carrier Air Wing SIXTEEN, embarked in U.S.S. ORISKANY (CVA-34), on 18 October 1967. Commander Shepherd was the strike leader of a 23-plane major Air Wing strike against the Haiphong Army Barracks, located on the southeast edge of the city of Haiphong, North Vietnam. The barracks was a major storage area for military supplies for the city of Haiphong. Commander Shepherd, realizing the vital importance of such a target to the enemy forces, conceived a strike plan to heighten the element of surprise and ensure complete success of the mission. Commander Shepherd planned for a break of day, radio silent, low level launch to minimize the detection of the strike group by enemy radar and electronic surveillance. As the strike group approached the target, Commander Shepherd expertly directed his forces to provide maximum missile and flak suppression. He personally led the strike force to an optimum attack position and delivered his ordnance on target, destroying two large barracks. The barracks area was determined to be 86% destroyed with numerous secondary fires and smoke rising several thousand feet. No aircraft were damaged and the strike group returned safely to the carrier. Commander Shepherd’s Superb planning, bombing expertise and professional leadership were directly responsible for the major success enjoyed by the strike force and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.