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 Lowell Franklin Eggert (NSN: 0-511058), United States Navy, for heroism while participating in aerial flight while serving as Commander of Attack Carrier Air Wing NINE, embarked in U.S.S. Constellation (CVA-64), as a pilot of jet aircraft. On 19 January 1972, Commander Eggert planned and led an eighteen-plane reconnaissance mission to the Quan Lang Airfield in North Vietnam. When several key elements of his groups were unable to participate in the mission, he displayed great prowess by rearranging elements in flight to achieve the maximum combat effectiveness. He skillfully led his flight to the optimum target approach position where the flight was met by a fusillade of surface-to-air missiles. Demonstrating exceptional heroism by pressing into the lethal envelopes of the firing surface-to-air missile sites and concurrent hail of anti-aircraft fire, he located each site or target facility for his elements to attack. Commander Eggert personally led the strike elements in daring dive bombing runs which placed the group’s ordnance directly on target. Post-strike damage assessment revealed the airfield rendered useless and its facilities and defenses heavily damaged. Commander Eggert’s skillful employment of his forces contributed to the destruction of an enemy aircraft in flight by an element of his group. His superb 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.

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 Lowell Franklin Eggert (NSN: 0-511058), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as Commanding Officer of Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED NINETY-TWO (VA-192), embarked in U.S.S. TICONDEROGA (CVA-14). On 9 May 1968, Commander Eggert planned and led an air wing strike against the extensive storage area at Xom Trung Hoa west of Vinh, North Vietnam. He advantageously deployed his strike elements to provide maximum protection from the enemy’s complete spectrum of anti-aircraft weapons and in such a manner as to optimize his attacking aircrafts’ capabilities. He calmly coordinated a precisely times attack and in spite of anti-aircraft fire directly in his flight path during the attack, delivered all bombs directly on target causing extensive damage and numerous fires which spread over the target area continuing to burn for several hours. Commander Eggert’s heroic actions and devotion to duty 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 Lowell Franklin Eggert (NSN: 0-511058), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a pilot of a jet attack aircraft, serving as Commanding Officer of Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED NINETY-TWO, embarked in U.S.S. TICONDEROGA (CVA-14). On 8 May 1968, Commander Eggert was the second bomber division leader of a strike against the vital POL storage at Xom Trung Hoa, 12 miles west of Vinh, North Vietnam. Assisting the primary strike leader in photo studies and mission planning, Commander Eggert’s astute observations and keen perception of the mission of the strike enabled him to select several individual bomb aiming points which would cause the greatest damage to the enemy. Once airborne, a portion of the strike group was diverted to a SAR mission causing an immediate change of strike tactics. Commander Eggert displayed exceptional airmanship by immediately leading his division to its new tactical position and directing his element in its bombing attack. In spite of the enemy defenses, Commander Eggert’s precise delivery caused several large secondary explosions and created a raging fire, the smoke column of which rose many thousands of feet in the air. Commander Eggert’s airborne versatility, precise and courageous weapons delivery and devotion to duty 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 the Distinguished Flying Cross to Commander Lowell Franklin Eggert (NSN: 0-511058), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a pilot of a jet aircraft attached to and serving as Commanding Officer of Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED NINETY-TWO (VA-192), embarked in U.S.S. TICONDEROGA (CVA-14). On 28 April 1968, Commander Eggert was strike leader of a highly successful coordinated air wing strike against the Ben Thuy cave storage area at Vinh, North Vietnam. He meticulously planned and briefed the strike, stressing exact timing and aim point coordination to minimize exposure and optimize weapons effectiveness. Commander Eggert displayed outstanding airmanship and courage by successfully maneuvering the strike group through heavy anti-aircraft fire, while in the envelope of three active surface-to-air missile sites, to position the strike force at the optimum roll-in point. In the face of intense enemy fire, he pressed the attack scoring a direct hit on his pre-briefed cave entrance with a (Walleye) bomb. After determining that all elements of the strike group had retired safely, Commander Eggert’s element proceeded to the pre-briefed secondary target, the Tam Da Highway bridge. He delivered the second (Walleye) bomb cratering the northern approach to the bridge. Commander Eggert’s professional leadership, outstanding airmanship and heroic efforts were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.