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 Robert Peter White, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 Pilot of the 56th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in action over Hanoi, North Vietnam, on the night of 28 December 1972. On that date, Major White led a flight of like aircraft deep into one of the most heavily defended areas of the world tasked with the responsibility of defending a massive strike force of B-52 bombers from numerous radar directed surface-to-air missile and antiaircraft artillery sites. Major White, through continual barrages of antiaircraft artillery fire and in close proximity to hostile aircraft, attacked one surface-to-air missile site and remained in position to decoy numerous surface-to-air missile and artillery defenses to himself, affording the bombers and protection necessary to complete a vital mission safely. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Major White reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Army Air Forces.
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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
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainBatallion:
357th Tactical Fighter SquadronDivision:
Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base, ThailandAction Date:
June 22, 1968
Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Order G-3548 (November 19, 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 Robert Peter White, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 Pilot of the 357th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in action near Dong Hoi, North Vietnam on 22 June 1968. On that date, Captain white, operating as a single F-105 at night in marginal weather, and in support of two flights of striking F-4s, destroyed a hostile radar site, severely damaged a heavy antiaircraft artillery site, and successfully suppressed a surface-to-air missile site and two additional antiaircraft artillery sites. Captain White continually placed himself between the striking flights and the lethal hostile defenses despite heavy antiaircraft fire, surface-to-air missile threats, and rapidly deteriorating weather. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Captain While 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:
MajorBatallion:
56th Tactical Fighter SquadronDivision:
Korat ABAction Date:
September 17, 1972
U.S. Air Force Academy Southeast Asia Plaza of HeroesThe 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 Robert Peter White, United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force on 17 September 1972, while serving as a Pilot with the 56th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand. On that date, as an F-105 Pilot, Major White neutralized a formidable success of heavy artillery that was shelling two rescue helicopters and their swimmers who were attempting to rescue two downed aircrew members. Major White, although continuously under attack himself, selflessly remained in the area, marking the artillery batteries for the escort aircraft and aggressively attacked the remaining batteries, permitting the rescue force to complete their mission. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Major White as 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:
MajorBatallion:
56th Tactical Fighter SquadronDivision:
Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base, ThailandAction Date:
June 27, 1972
Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Order G-0146 (1973)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 Robert Peter White, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 Pilot of the 56th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in action in Southeast Asia on 27 June 1972. On that Date, Major White successfully suppressed a formidable succession of hostile defenses in support of a strike force attacking the Bac Mai Airfield, North Vietnam. Although under constant attack from hostile MiG interceptors and surface-to-air missiles, Major White destroyed a surface-to-air missile site and suppressed several others, insuring accomplishment of the strike mission and safe exit of all aircraft from the target area. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Major White reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.