The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Lieutenant Randall Harold Cunningham (NSN: 0-722864), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a pilot of jet aircraft while attached to Fighter Squadron NINETY-SIX (VF-96), embarked in U.S.S. CONSTELLATION (CVA 64). On 8 May 1972, Lieutenant Cunningham led a section of aircraft on MIG Combat Air Patrol during a coordinated air wing strike against the Son Tay truck park deep in North Vietnam. He alertly and expertly directed his section in aerial combat against a force of three enemy MIG-17 aircraft attempting to intercept the strike force. Demonstrating exceptional heroism and aggressive spirit, he engaged one of the enemy seriously threatening his wingman. With complete disregard for his own personal safety, he continued his attack through a hail of cannon fire from two enemy aircraft in a heroic effort to rescue his wingman. Through his superb airmanship, he accounted personally for one confirmed downed enemy aircraft and drove the remaining enemy north and out of the range of the retiring strike force. Lieutenant Cunningham’s consummate aerial skill, aggressive fighting spirit, and steadfast devotion to duty in the face of heavy enemy opposition were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Awards Received
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Silver Star
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Navy Cross
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Silver Star
Service:
United States NavyRank:
LieutenantBatallion:
Fighter Squadron 96 (VF-96)Division:
U.S.S. Constellation (CVA-64)Action Date:
January 19, 1972
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Randall Harold Cunningham (NSN: 0-722864), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a pilot of a jet aircraft while attached to Fighter Squadron, NINETY-SIX (VF-96), embarked in U.S.S. CONSTELLATION (CVA 64). On 19 January 1972, during a photo reconnaissance mission against Tha Quan Lang Airfield in North Vietnam, Lieutenant Cunningham was the flight leader of the MIG Combat Air Patrol Element. He alertly and expertly directed his section through a barrage of enemy surface-to-air missiles and heavy anti-aircraft artillery fire to engage a section of MIG’s in the target area. Demonstrating extraordinary heroism and aggressive spirit, he engaged the enemy formation at treetop level to the Karst Ridge area of the Song Ca Valley. His quick and decisive low level attack through heavy enemy tracer fire accounted for one confirmed enemy aircraft destroyed and drove the remaining enemy north and out of range of the retiring Strike Force. Lieutenant Cunningham’s 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.
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Navy Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
LieutenantBatallion:
Fighter Squadron 96 (VF-96)Division:
U.S.S. Constellation (CVA-64)Action Date:
May 10, 1972
Authority: Navy Department Board of Decorations and MedalsThe President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Randall Harold Cunningham (NSN: 0-722864), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism on 10 May 1972 while serving as a Pilot with Fighter Squadron NINETY-SIX (VF-96), embarked in U.S.S. CONSTELLATION (CVA-64), during a major air-wing coordinated strike against the strategic and heavily defended Hai Duong marshalling rail yard joining the port of Haiphong to the industrial center of Hanoi in North Vietnam. As leader of a section of F-4J flak-suppressor aircraft assigned to protect the less maneuverable and heavily loaded attack group, Lieutenant Cunningham positioned his unit between the retiring strike force and a large formation of approximately sixteen enemy aircraft attempting to intercept the bombers. Displaying extraordinary courage and brilliant aerial skill, he inspired and motivated his outnumbered shipmates in resisting several enemy assaults, and personally accounted for three of the six enemy aircraft destroyed in the fierce battle. Although his aircraft was struck by a surface-to-air missile and later burst into flame, Lieutenant Cunningham managed to barrel-roll his crippled fighter to the Tonkin Gulf where he ejected and was picked up shortly by a rescue helicopter. His great personal courage and invaluable contribution to the success of an extremely important mission were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.