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 Lieutenant Colonel Wayne Thomas Frye, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-4D Aircraft Commander over hostile territory on 22 January 1972. On that date, Colonel Frye led a flight of two F-4D Tactical Fighters that struck a heavily defended hostile ammunition storage area. Despite heavy anti-aircraft artillery directed at his aircraft, Colonel Frye’s outstanding leadership and superior bombing accuracy were directly responsible for the complete destruction of the target complex, thereby seriously hindering the efforts of the hostile forces to re-supply their troops. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Colonel Frye reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Awards Received
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Silver Star
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Silver Star
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Legion of Merit
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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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 Silver Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Sixth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Colonel Wayne Thomas Frye, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-4D Aircraft Commander near Hanoi, North Vietnam, on 23 June 1972. On that date, Colonel Frye was in a flight of four heavily armed tactical fighters that were providing protection against enemy interceptors for a large bomber force. While flying over an area heavily defended by anti-aircraft artillery and surface-to-air missiles, Colonel Frye cleared and supported the rest of the flight, allowing the flight leader to repeatedly engage four enemy interceptors and force their retreat. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Colonel Frye 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 Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Colonel Wayne Thomas Frye, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-4D Aircraft Commander near Hanoi, North Vietnam, on 30 July 1972. On that date, Colonel Frye participated in a flight of tactical fighters on a mission to protect a large strike force from enemy interceptors. Despite being fired upon by surface-to-air missiles and heavy anti-aircraft artillery, Colonel Frye’s outstanding airmanship and initiative resulted in the complete protection of the friendly forces allowing them to destroy the target and return safely. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Colonel Frye reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Silver Star
Headquarters, Pacific Air Forces, Special Order GB-0282 (December 29, 1972)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 Lieutenant Colonel Wayne Thomas Frye, United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force over hostile territory on 12 May 1972. On that date, Colonel Frye’s flight was holding in its assigned position when they were engaged by four hostile aircraft. Through superior maneuvering and use of aircraft capabilities, Colonel Frye was able to destroy the second attacking aircraft. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Colonel Frye 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 Lieutenant Colonel Wayne Thomas Frye, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-4D Aircraft Commander over hostile territory on 27 June 1972. On that date, Colonel Frye was a member of a flight of four tactical fighters assigned to provide protection against hostile interceptors for search and rescue forces that were recovering the crews of three downed aircraft. Though low on fuel, and flying over an area heavily defended by anti-aircraft artillery and surface-to-air missiles, Colonel Frye repeatedly drove hostile interceptors from the vulnerable search and rescue forces allowing them to successfully recover two of the downed aircraft members. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Colonel Frye reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Silver Star
Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Orders G-2198 (June 6, 1969)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.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
ColonelAction Date:
June 19, 1973 – July 5, 1974
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Colonel Wayne Thomas Frye, United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Military Assistant to the Assistant Director, Land Warfare, Office of the Director of Defense Research and Engineering, Office of the Secretary of Defense, from 19 June 1972 to 5 July 1974. During this period Colonel Frye demonstrated dedication, objectivity and analytical ability of the highest order in his primary role as close air support advisor, and his thorough understanding of the operational aspects of aerial warfare facilitated the collection and synthesis of vital information and data which became the basis for key decisions on research and development programs. His outstanding professional ability and initiative have earned him the lasting respect of colleagues in both the nation’s military and scientific communities. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Frye culminate a distinguished career in the service of his country, and 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 Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Colonel Wayne Thomas Frye, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-4D Aircraft Commander over hostile territory on 16 April 1972. On that date, Colonel Frye was a member of a flight of four F-4D aircraft on a bombing mission against a target deep in the heart of North Vietnam. Despite encountering heavy defenses in the form of hostile aircraft, surface-to-air missiles, and anti-aircraft artillery fire, the flight heavily damaged a major petroleum storage area and destroyed most of the petroleum, denying the North Vietnamese the use of this important resource in their war-making efforts. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Colonel Frye reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Orders G-2548 (June 26, 1969)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major Wayne Thomas Frye, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-4C Aircraft Commander in the II Corps Area, Republic of Vietnam, on 23 February 1969. On that date, he struck a combined Viet Cong and North Vietnamese Army battalion that had pinned down an American company. His accurate and devastating weapons delivery, through heavy ground fire, in restricted visibility, and in close proximity to friendly troops, resulted in an immediate and great reduction in hostile fire and enabled the beleaguered company to take the offensive. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Major Frye reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.