The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Major Charles Angelo Lombardo (AFSN: FV-723990), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force while serving with the 357th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Takhli Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, over North Vietnam, on 17 June 1967. On that date, Major Lombardo flew in the element lead aircraft of a surface-to-air missile suppression flight supporting a twenty-eight ship strike force. In an extremely heavily defended target area, Major Lombardo flew through the formidable defenses guarding two surface-to-air missile sites and attacked two other sites menacing the force. Following two successful attacks on these sites he returned to the first one over-flown and, disregarding the concentrated intense defenses guarding it, attacked and heavily damaged this complex. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Major Lombardo has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.




