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 with Combat “V” to Captain Edward John Haerter (AFSN: Fighter Group-3199749), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an F-100 Pilot of the 174th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Phu Cat Air Base, South Vietnam, in action in Southeast Asia on 22 January 1969. On that date, Captain Haerter was the fourth member of a four-ship flight of F-100’s which rendezvoused with the Forward Air Controller, Wolf 02. The enemy gunners were fully alerted to the airborne threat since the FAC drew heavy fire and the fighters dove through thick airbursts. Captain Haerter realized he would have to fly literally at point-blank range to the ground fire to insure maximum delivery effectiveness but he willingly accepted the increased exposure to insure target destruction. Captain Haerter, with complete disregard for his own personal safety, accomplished repeated ordnance deliveries through extremely heavy hostile ground fir to decimate a hostile supply convoy. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Captain Haerter reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.
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Awards Received
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Silver Star
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainBatallion:
174th Tactical Fighter SquadronDivision:
Phu Cat Air Base, South VietnamAction Date:
August 18, 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 lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat “V” to Captain Edward John Haerter (AFSN: Fighter Group-3199749), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an F-100 Pilot of the 174th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Phu Cat Air Base, South Vietnam, in action in Southeast Asia on 18 August 1968. On that date, Captain Haerter displayed outstanding aerial competence and courageous professionalism in the aggressive pursuance and acquisition of the assigned targets. The tenacity of this officer to attain the objective against formidable defenses is in accord with the highest military objectives. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Captain Haerter reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainBatallion:
174th Tactical Fighter SquadronDivision:
Phu Cat Air Base, South VietnamAction Date:
September 12, 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 Captain Edward John Haerter (AFSN: AO-3199749), United States Air Force, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force as an F-100 Pilot of the 174th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Phu Cat Air Base, South Vietnam, in action near Duc Lap Special Forces Camp, Republic of Vietnam, on 12 September 1968. On that date, Captain Haerter led a flight of two F-100’s that were scrambled from the alert pad to answer an urgent request for immediate close air support in Quang Duc Province. Captain Haerter stated his flight would make a reconnaissance run over the target, willfully destroying the vital element of surprise and accepting the increased exposure to fire, as the sole remaining method open to insure the mission’s success. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Captain Haerter has reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainBatallion:
174th Tactical Fighter SquadronDivision:
Phu Cat Air Base, South VietnamAction Date:
November 1, 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 with Combat “V” to Captain Edward John Haerter (AFSN: Fighter Group-3199749), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an F-100 Pilot of the 174th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Phu Cat Air Base, South Vietnam, in action in Southeast Asia on 1 November 1968. On that date, Captain Haerter was flying the wing position of Bat 71 flight, 174th Tactical Fighter Squadron. The flight was scheduled to provide flak suppression for a flight of F-04’s fragged to deliver special ordnance into a heavily defended portion of the DMZ where several aircraft had received battle damage the previous day. Captain Haerter’s determination to remain in the area despite low fuel demonstrated outstanding devotion to duty and his low level ordnance deliveries directly into the fury of heavy ground fire reflect heroism of the highest degree. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Captain Haerter reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainBatallion:
174th Tactical Fighter SquadronDivision:
Phu Cat Air Base, South VietnamAction Date:
August 1, 1968
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 Edward John Haerter (AFSN: Fighter Group-3199749), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-100 Pilot of the 174th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Phu Cat Air Base, South Vietnam, in action in Southeast Asia on 1 August 1968. On that date, Captain Haerter struck a target containing heavy road construction equipment being used to repair vitally important supply routes. The heavily camouflaged equipment was in an almost inaccessible location for an air attack, the bottom of an extremely narrow ravine which ended abruptly against a towering 3,500 foot high mountain. With unerring pilot skill and complete disregard for his own safety, Captain Haerter maneuvered his aircraft into the ravine and attacked the target with bombs, rockets and strafing passes, completely destroying it and denying hostile forces a main supply artery. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Haerter reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.