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 a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Major Robert Thomas Cavanaugh (AFSN: FR-46472), 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, in action near Hanoi, North Vietnam, on 28 October 1967. On that date, Major Cavanaugh, flying as an F-105F Wild Weasel pilot, made repeated attacks over the heavily defended flat delta area in the vicinity of Hanoi despite a hazardous communications failure between crew members and while under constant attack from surface-to-air missiles and heavy anti-aircraft artillery. As a result of his actions, three surface-to-air missile guidance units and an anti-aircraft artillery battery were destroyed allowing the force of sixteen F-105 Thunderchiefs to attack and destroy a vital railroad and highway bridge without any losses from surface-to-air missiles. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Major Cavanaugh has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Silver Star
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Silver Star
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Bronze Star Medal
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
MajorBatallion:
357th Tactical Fighter SquadronDivision:
Takhli Royal Thai Air Base, ThailandAction Date:
August 11, 1967
Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Order G-1858 (October 28, 1967)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 Robert Thomas Cavanaugh (AFSN: FR-46472), 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, in action near Hanoi, North Vietnam, on 11 August 1967. On that date, Major Cavanaugh led a flight of four F-105F Thunderchiefs providing protection against surface-to-air missiles for an aerial strike against the Hanoi (Doumer) Highway and Railroad Bridge, the most vital bridge in North Vietnam. Disregarding his own personal safety, Major Cavanaugh made himself a readily available target to decoy both surface-to-air missiles and hostile MiG aircraft away from the strike force, thereby permitting the strike aircraft to successfully destroy this all important target. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Major Cavanaugh has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major Robert Thomas Cavanaugh (AFSN: FR-46472), United States Air Force, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in Southeast Asia.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
MajorBatallion:
357th Tactical Fighter SquadronDivision:
Takhli Royal Thai Air Base, ThailandAction Date:
November 6, 1967
Headquarters, 7th Air Force (PACAF), Special Order G-1549 (May 25, 1968)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 a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Silver Star to Major Robert Thomas Cavanaugh (AFSN: FR-46472), 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, in action near Hanoi, North Vietnam, on 6 November 1967. On that date, Major Cavanaugh, while flying as an F-105F pilot, completely suppressed an active surface-to-air missile threat allowing the main fighter-bomber force to successfully neutralize an important transformer station. Although his aircraft sustained damage from a direct hit from anti-aircraft fire, Major Cavanaugh courageously continued his dive bomb run to completely destroy the active hostile flak site defending a mobile surface-to-air missile site. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Major Cavanaugh has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Fourth Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fifth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major Robert Thomas Cavanaugh (AFSN: FR-46472), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Pilot over the Republic of Vietnam on 25 October 1967. On that date, Major Cavanaugh completed his assigned objective in accordance with the highest military standards. The tenacity of this officer to complete the objective with professional airmanship and outstanding courage reflects only the highest degree of devotion to his mission. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Major Cavanaugh reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
ColonelAction Date:
January 8, 1973 – January 1, 1974
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962, takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal to Colonel Robert Thomas Cavanaugh (AFSN: FR-46472), United States Air Force, for meritorious service as Assistant Deputy Commander for Operations, 388th Tactical Fighter Wing and Orbit Commander, Moonbeam Orbit, Seventh Airborne Command and Control Squadron, while engaged in support of air operations against an opposing armed force at Korat Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, from 8 January 1973 to 1 January 1974. During this period, Colonel Cavanaugh personally recommended and established numerous policies for the training, coordination and deployment of five different weapon systems located at his base. Through his managerial skill and active participation, the Seventh Airborne Command and Control Squadron was able to develop a more realistic and viable training program which was to the benefit of the entire squadron. The exemplary leadership, personal endeavor and devotion to duty displayed by Colonel Cavanaugh in these responsible positions reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major Robert Thomas Cavanaugh (AFSN: FR-46472), United States Air Force, was awarded a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 pilot, in action on 31 July 1967, in Southeast Asia.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major Robert Thomas Cavanaugh (AFSN: FR-46472), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 pilot near Phuc Yen, North Vietnam, on 1 August 1967. On that date, Major Cavanaugh took part in a surface-to-air missile suppression mission and at great personal risk, employed decoy tactics to protect his assigned strike force. The fact that the missile sites around the target area were so preoccupied with these decoy maneuvers that no missiles were fired at the strike force allowing them to accomplish their mission, is indicative of his outstanding courage and airmanship. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Major Cavanaugh reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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 Major Robert Thomas Cavanaugh (AFSN: FR-46472), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 Pilot near Bac Giang, North Vietnam, on 22 June 1967. On that date, although placing himself in an extremely vulnerable position within range of surface-to-air missiles and anti-aircraft artillery fire, Major Cavanaugh attacked the active anti-aircraft batteries that were closest to his target, the Bac Giang rail and highway bridge. In addition, Major Cavanaugh caused complete and total suppression of the nearby surface-to-air missile sites by a daring head-on attack, enabling the strike force to destroy its target unhampered by the deadly missiles. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Major Cavanaugh reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.