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 Joseph John Tighe (AFSN: FV-3036900), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force while serving as an A-1E Pilot with the 602d Fighter Squadron (Commando), Bien Hoa Air Base, Vietnam, in action near Vinh, North Vietnam, on 10 September 1965. On that date, Captain Tighe volunteered to participate in a search and rescue mission for a U.S. Navy pilot downed in hostile territory so heavily defended that the search commander was reluctant to order aircraft into the area. Descending to a dangerously low altitude, Captain Tighe quickly located the crash site and then conducted a fifty minute search for the pilot in the face of blistering flak which inflicted hits upon his rocket pods, causing them to burst into flame. After jettisoning his burning ordnance, he used his undamaged rockets to suppress ground fire directed at his wingman’s aircraft which had also taken several hits and forced to ditch in the Gulf of Tonkin. Captain Tighe capped his wingman until he was successfully recovered by rescue forces. After returning from this mission, it was found that his aircraft had been so badly damaged that it required an engine change and a month of maintenance to put it back in combat condition. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Captain Tighe has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Awards Received
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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 Joseph John Tighe (AFSN: FV-3036900), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an A-1E Pilot near the North Vietnamese border on 16 January 1966. On that date, Captain Tighe led a search and rescue mission for two downed United States Navy pilots who had been shot down in an area very heavily defended by numerous anti-aircraft weapons. After locating the survivors, he deliberately attempted to draw anti-aircraft fire by flying at low altitude in order to pinpoint and suppress any hostile fire and to determine if a helicopter could survive in the area. This voluntary risk of his life made possible the safe recovery of both downed pilots. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Captain Tighe reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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 Joseph John Tighe (AFSN: FV-3036900), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an A-1E Pilot near Qui Nhon, Republic of Vietnam, on 1 March 1966. On that date, Captain Tighe flew an air strike in close air support of the United States Army’s 101st Airborne Division and twice dived into the fire of a hostile 20-mm. cannon. On his second bomb pass he scored a direct hit on the gun, relieving an element of thirty-five United States Army troops, some of them wounded, who had been pinned down by the cannon, just 35 yards away. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Captain Tighe reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain Joseph John Tighe (AFSN: FV-3036900), United States Air Force, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in Southeast Asia.