Navy Federal Credit Union

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 Clarence Sandor Summers, Jr. (AFSN: FR-27445), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as an F-105 Thunderchief Electronics Warfare Officer of the 44th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Korat Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, in action against an isolated vital military target near Hanoi, North Vietnam, on 17 November 1967. On that date, Major Summers braved bad weather, concentrated barrages of anti-aircraft fire and two surface-to-air missiles as he courageously led repeated attacks that destroyed a missile site, the radars of three missile sites, and one anti-aircraft artillery site, and forced four other missile sites to cease operation before they could launch their missiles. As a direct result of his actions the large airborne force he was assigned to protect suffered no losses in a successful mission in the face of determined opposition. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Major Summers has reflected 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 12, 1967

    Headquarters, Pacific Air Forces, Special Orders No. G-2094 (November 26, 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 Clarence Sandor Summers, Jr. (AFSN: FR-27445), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an Electronics Warfare Officer over North Vietnam on 12 September 1967. On that date, Major Summers, with complete disregard for his own safety, entered a lethal surface-to-air missile envelope in extremely hazardous weather conditions to assist in a search and rescue mission for two downed United States pilots. Through the courageous actions of this officer a successful rescue was accomplished. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Major Summers reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Major

    Action Date:

    August 24, 1967

    Headquarters, Pacific Air Forces, Special Orders No. G-2139 (December 1, 1967), Amended by SOG-120 (January 15, 1968)

    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 Clarence Sandor Summers, Jr. (AFSN: FR-27445), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 Thunderchief Electronics Warfare Officer over North Vietnam on 24 August 1967. On that date, Major Summers successfully suppressed several unfriendly surface-to-air missile sites that attempted to attack major friendly strike forces. Successfully evading a determined attack by two hostile aircraft, his flight destroyed or severely damaged two missile sites. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Major Summers reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Major

    Action Date:

    September 17, 1967

    Headquarters, Pacific Air Forces, Special Orders No. G-138 (January 15, 1968), Amended by SOG-908 (March 24, 1968)

    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 Clarence Sandor Summers, Jr. (AFSN: FR-27445), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 Electronics Warfare Officer in Southeast Asia on 17 September 1967. On that date, Major Summers’ skill and persistence were paramount in obtaining the assigned military objective in the presence of hostile action. To successfully accomplish the objective, he was subjected to continuous hostile anti-aircraft, missile and MiG threats through the most heavily defended area yet encountered in aerial combat. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Major Summers reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Major

    Batallion:

    44th Tactical Fighter Squadron

    Division:

    Korat Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand

    Action Date:

    November 19, 1967

    Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Orders No. G-591 (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 the Silver Star to Major Clarence Sandor Summers, Jr. (AFSN: FR-27445), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force while serving with the 44th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Korat Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, in action over North Vietnam on 19 November 1967. On that date, Major Summers led an F-105 Thunderchief flight on a surface-to-air missile suppression mission against a vital military target in the vicinity of Hanoi, North Vietnam. Due to the great number of missile sites protecting the target, he deliberately down loaded part of the aircraft’s defensive equipment in order to carry more ordnance. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Major Summers 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

    Division:

    Korat Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand

    Action Date:

    December 19, 1967

    Headquarters, Pacific Air Forces, Special Orders No. G-101 (May 20, 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 a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Silver Star to Major Clarence Sandor Summers, Jr. (AFSN: FR-27445), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force in the immediate vicinity of Hanoi, North Vietnam, on 19 December 1967, as an F-105 Thunderchief Electronics Warfare Officer of the 44th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Korat Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand. On that date, Major Summers braved numerous barrages of anti-aircraft artillery fire and eighteen surface-to-air missiles while he participated in repeated attacks against several firing missile sites. At great personal risk, Major Summers skillfully continued this hazardous mission in support of friendly strike aircraft after receiving severe battle damage. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Major Summers has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Major

    Action Date:

    August 2, 1967

    Headquarters, Pacific Air Forces, Special Orders No. G-1868 (October 30, 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 Clarence Sandor Summers, Jr. (AFSN: FR-27445), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 Thunderchief Electronics Warfare Officer over North Vietnam on 2 August 1967. On that date, while on combat patrol, Major Summers located a highly camouflaged hostile surface-to-air missile site. He then led other friendly forces in repeated air attacks that resulted in the complete destruction of the hostile site. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Major Summers reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.