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, Junior Grade William Patrick Driscoll (NSN: 0-756327), United States Naval Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy as a Naval Flight Officer of a jet aircraft while attached to Fighter Squadron NINETY-SIX (VF-96) embarked in U.S.S. CONSTELLATION (CVA-64). On 8 May 1972, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Driscoll was the radar intercept officer in the lead plane of a section of aircraft on a MiG Combat Air Patrol during a coordinated air wing strike against the Son Tay truck park deep in North Vietnam. He alertly and expertly aided his pilot 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 an enemy seriously threatening his wingman. With complete disregard for his own personal safety, he assisted his pilot in pressing their attack through a hail of cannon fire from two enemy aircraft in a heroic effort to rescue his wingman. Through his calm professionalism and superb airmanship, he accounted personally for one confirmed downed enemy aircraft and drove the remaining enemy north and out of range of the retiring strike force. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Driscoll’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.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Silver Star
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Navy Cross
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Silver Star
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant, Junior GradeBatallion:
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, Junior Grade William Patrick Driscoll (NSN: 0-756327), United States Naval Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy as a Naval Flight Officer 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 Quan Lang Airfield in North Vietnam, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Driscoll was the Radar Intercept Officer in the lead aircraft of the MiG Combat Air Patrol Element. He calmly and expertly directed his pilot in maintaining visual contact with the barrage of enemy surface-to-air missiles fired at the section as they passed concurrently through a hail of anti-aircraft fire to engage two MiG’s in the target area. He skillfully maintained a radar lock on the engaged enemy aircraft as the flight progressed at tree top level through the Karst Ridge area of the Song Ca Valley. Demonstrating extraordinary heroism and professionalism, he assisted his pilot in pressing the attack which accounted for one confirmed enemy aircraft destroyed and drove the remaining enemy aircraft out of range of the retiring Strike Force. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Driscoll’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:
Lieutenant, Junior GradeBatallion:
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, Junior Grade William Patrick Driscoll (NSN: 0-756327), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism on 10 May 1972 while serving as a Radar Intercept Officer 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. Flying with the leader of a section of F-4J flak-suppressor aircraft assigned to protect the less maneuverable and heavily loaded attack group, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Driscoll rendered invaluable assistance when a large formation of approximately sixteen enemy aircraft attempted to intercept the retiring strike group. Visually acquiring the enemy fighters, and skillfully directing defensive maneuvers, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Driscoll aided his pilot in shooting down 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, Junior Grade, Driscoll remained with the crippled aircraft and assisted the pilot in reaching the Tonkin Gulf where both men ejected and were picked up shortly by a rescue helicopter. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Driscoll’s 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.