The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat “V” to Captain Howard Lee Bodenhamer, United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as the Pilot of an F-105 Thunderchief with the 354th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in action in Southeast Asia on 10 March 1967. On that date, Captain Bodenhamer was a member of a flight of fighter-bombers whose mission was flak suppression in support of a strike against a heavily defended steel mill complex. Despite difficulties, he countered with his aircraft, and an attack by a hostile interceptor, Captain Bodenhamer penetrated the formidable defenses and delivered his ordnance upon his assigned segment of the target defenses. Exiting the target area, Captain Bodenhamer attacked a more maneuverable hostile interceptor which was in the process of attacking another friendly aircraft. Captain Bodenhamer then avoided a surface-to-air missile which was fired at his aircraft. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Captain Bodenhamer reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Howard Lee Bodenhamer, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as the Pilot of an F-105 Thunderchief with the 354th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in action in Southeast Asia on 14 April 1967. On that date, Captain Bodenhamer was the deputy lead of a flight of fighter-bombers whose mission was armed reconnaissance of a series of hostile road networks. Discovering a well-placed hostile gun emplacement, Captain Bodenhamer attacked and destroyed it and a large supply of ammunition nearby. As he exited the area, Captain Bodenhamer heard a pilot in the process of ejecting from a crippled aircraft. Captain Bodenhamer immediately initiated the rescue effort. During the rescue operation, Captain Bodenhamer serves as a coordinator between the rescue aircraft, other RESCAP flights, and the rescue control. He then performed several low altitude, high speed passes of a concentration of hostile personnel to discourage any attempt to apprehend the downed pilot. Captain Bodenhamer stayed in the area of the downed pilot until rescue was effected, although he was well below binge fuel. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Bodenhamer reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Howard Lee Bodenhamer, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as the Pilot of an F-105 Thunderchief with the 354th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in action near Thai Ngyen, North Vietnam, on 19 June 1967. On that date, Captain Bodenhamer was the leader of a flight of F-105’s which was assigned the mission of rendering unusable a vital war materials plant deep in hostile territory. Although engulfed in deadly accurate anti-aircraft artillery fire and subject to attack by hostile interceptors and surface-to-air missiles, Captain Bodenhamer delivered his ordnance precisely on target resulting in its destruction. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Bodenhamer reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.