Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Major

    Action Date:

    March 16, 1952

    Citation Courtesy of the Distinguished Flying Cross Society – www.dfcsociety.org

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major Ray J. McNeil, United States Air Force, for extraordinary skill, leadership and courage while participating in aerial flight on 16 March 1952 near Namsi-Dong, Korea. Major McNeil was the leader of a combat group of F-84E type aircraft assigned the dangerous mission of destroying a key enemy radar station only a few miles from the Yalu River. After locating the highly camouflaged target, Major McNeil made two low-level bombing runs and then began circling the target at extremely low altitude to facilitate target identification for the other flights. Despite the low amount of fuel remaining, it being an area of known flak and the presence of more than fifty enemy aircraft above him, Major McNeil remained over the target directing the air strike until the site was completely destroyed. Major McNeil during this mission exemplified the courage, skill and leadership required in successful tactical air operation and has brought great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.