Navy Federal Credit Union

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 Major Floyd E. Heinzig (AFSN: FR-64830), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 Thunderchief Pilot over North Vietnam on 9 September 1967. On that date, Major Heinzig was a member of a flight which was directed to strike Kep Airfield. Although severely hampered by extremely poor weather conditions and struck by intense, accurate anti-aircraft fire while rolling in, Major Heinzig successfully inflicted heavy damage on the target which was fifty percent obscured by clouds. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Major Heinzig reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Major

    Action Date:

    September 17, 1967

    Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Order G-2253 (December 16, 1967)

    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 Floyd E. Heinzig (AFSN: FR-64830), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 Thunderchief Pilot over North Vietnam on 17 September 1967. On that date, Major Heinzig led a force of twenty F-105 aircraft against a railroad yard and bridge in North Vietnam. Despite the intense anti-aircraft fire, surface-to-air missiles, and numerous hostile aircraft sightings, Major Heinzig pressed his attack and dealt major damage to the hostile installations. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Major Heinzig reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Major

    Action Date:

    July 6, 1967

    Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Order G-1471 (September 22, 1967)

    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 Floyd E. Heinzig (AFSN: FR-64830), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as an F-105 Thunderchief pilot over North Vietnam on 6 July 1967. On that date, Major Heinzig was in the lead flight of sixteen F-105’s which struck the extremely well defended Vu Chua Rail Yard on the vital Hanoi-Communist China railing. Disregarding his own safety he placed his ordnance directly on target causing heavy destruction of the rail yard. On egress, Major Heinzig displayed superior airmanship and great courage in escorting a severely crippled aircraft out of the hostile MiG and SA-2 missile environment to a safe landing three hundred miles away. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Major Heinzig reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Major

    Action Date:

    August 29, 1967

    Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Order G-1987 (November 13, 1967)

    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 Major Floyd E. Heinzig (AFSN: FR-64830), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 Thunderchief pilot over North Vietnam on 29 August 1967. On that date, Major Heinzig was a member of a flight of four F-105’s which successfully struck a vital railroad yard on the major northwest rail line in North Vietnam. In spite of heavy defenses Major Heinzig placed his ordnance in the target area destroying several rail cars and making multiple rail cuts. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Major Heinzig reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Major

    Action Date:

    June 13, 1967

    Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Order G-1203 (August 14, 1967)

    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 Floyd E. Heinzig (AFSN: FR-64830), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 Thunderchief pilot near Hanoi, North Vietnam on 13 June 1967. On that date, Major Heinzig was a member of Vampire Flight, four F-105 Thunderchiefs proceeding against the heavily defended Kep railway yards and storage areas. Navigation, defensive maneuvering, and target acquisition were near impossible due to highly unfavorable weather condition, but disregarding his own personal safety Major Heinzig delivered his ordnance directly upon the target. A large secondary explosion was observed proving conclusively the effectiveness of the attack, and the destruction of materials vital to the unfriendly forces. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Major Heinzig reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Major

    Action Date:

    November 5, 1967

    Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Order G-174 (January 16, 1968)

    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 addition to a previously awarded Silver Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Seventh Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat “V” to Major Floyd E. Heinzig (AFSN: FR-64830), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight over North Vietnam on 5 November 1967. On that date, Major Heinzig was Deputy Force Commander for a group of twenty F-105 aircraft on a mission against the intensely defended Phuc Yen Airfield. Following a highly successful attack, Major Heinzig, as flight lead of two F-105 Thunderchiefs, was instrumental in the successful recovery of a downed pilot. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Major Heinzig reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Major

    Action Date:

    October 17, 1967

    Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Order G-590 (February 23, 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 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Major Floyd E. Heinzig (AFSN: FR-64830), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force over North Vietnam on 17 October 1967. On that date, Major Heinzig, while under intense hostile fire, instantly assumed command of a major force of aircraft after the mission commander and his wingman were both shot down prior to reaching the target. With complete disregard for his personal safety, Major Heinzig led the remaining aircraft through a highly successful attack despite accurate defenses that destroyed yet another aircraft in the force. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Major Heinzig has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Major

    Batallion:

    44th Tactical Fighter Squadron

    Action Date:

    July 18, 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 Floyd E. Heinzig (AFSN: FR-64830), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force while serving with the 44th Tactical Fighter Squadron, in action over North Vietnam on 18 July 1967. On that date, Major Heinzig, acting as Mission Commander, led twenty F-105 Thunderchiefs on a successful strike against the Kep Rail Yards. Numerous boxcars were destroyed and several rail cuts were made in the face of intense target defenses which damaged three members of his force. As mission commander, Major Heinzig effectively used his force to hamper the supply efforts of the hostile forces of North Vietnam. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Major Heinzig has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Major

    Action Date:

    September 10, 1967

    Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Order G-2096 (November 27, 1967)

    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 Floyd E. Heinzig (AFSN: FR-64830), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 Thunderchief Pilot over North Vietnam on 10 September 1967. On that date, Major Heinzig as a member of a flight of four F-105’s attacked and destroyed the Dai Loi Railroad Bridge Complex in North Vietnam. Despite MiG fighters harassing the flight and heavy concentrated anti-aircraft fire, Major Heinzig delivered his ordnance precisely on target. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Major Heinzig reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.