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 with Combat “V” to Major Victor Merrick Ripley, United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 Electronics Warfare Officer over Hanoi, North Vietnam, on 26 December 1972. On that date, while escorting a large force of B-52 bombers into a heavily-defended area, Major Ripley experienced several aircraft electrical difficulties which completely eliminated all offensive capabilities and degraded aircraft performance by forcing the retention of an empty, asymmetrically loaded fuel tank until this tank inadvertently jettisoned while evading several surface-to-air missiles. Although the wing damage caused by the malfunctioning tank created several airframe vibrations, Major Ripley, believing he had received anti-aircraft artillery damage, remained in the target area to repeatedly detect the launch of surface-to-air missiles and to relay warnings until the bombers had safely departed. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Major Ripley reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

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 Captain Victor Merrick Ripley, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight over hostile territory as an Electronic Warfare Officer in an F-105G on 28 February 1970. On that date, Captain Ripley flew as the lead Electronics Warfare Officer of a flight of F-105G Thunderchiefs, which was directed to provide escort and surface-to-air missile suppression for numerous unarmed reconnaissance aircraft while continually maintaining an attack position on the known hostile missile and gun emplacements. Captain Ripley’s expert evaluation of the electronic environment was vital to the successful completion of this extremely hazardous reconnaissance effort. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Ripley reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

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 Victor Merrick Ripley, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a F-105G Electronic Warfare Officer over Southeast Asia on 16 April 1972. On that date, Major Ripley penetrated deep into the heavily defended hostile territory to suppress the extremely dangerous surface-to-air missiles that posed a deadly threat to the strike force attacking valuable petroleum resources. With the utmost dedication, Major Ripley repeatedly directed devastating attacks against those sites posing the greatest threat, enabling the attacking force to destroy their valuable target and escape without damage. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Major Ripley reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.