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 Wayne Thomas Frye, United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as an F-4C Aircraft Commander near Vinh Loi, Republic of Vietnam, on 30 December 1968. On that date, Major Frye flew a mission in direct support of friendly ground forces. With complete disregard for his personal safety, he made repeated passes in marginal weather conditions, through extremely intense and accurate automatic weapons fire to deliver his ordnance with devastating accuracy. On the last pass, hostile fire hit his aircraft, painfully wounding Major Frye in the left hand. Even though he was in intense pain, losing blood, and in danger of losing consciousness, Major Frye directed his rear seat pilot to over-fly Bien Thuy Air Base and land at Bien Hoa Air Base to give him maximum opportunity to successfully complete a night rear seat landing. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Major Frye has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.




