The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Commander Ronald Jackson Hays (NSN: 0-532873/1310), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as pilot of an A-6A aircraft in Attack Squadron EIGHTY-FIVE (VA-84), embarked in U.S.S. KITTY HAWK (CVA-63), on 16 April 1966, during a daring and highly dangerous two-plane daylight bombing mission against the vital Qui Vinh Railyard facility in North Vietnam. Commander Hays braved intense and accurate anti-aircraft artillery and small arms fire plus the constant threat of surface-to-air missiles while gallantly pursuing the attack against one of the most heavily defended and vital links in the rail supply line between North Vietnam and the Viet Cong aggressors in the south. During the bombing runs, in which his aircraft was damaged by flak, he demonstrated a coolness under heavy fire which resulted in direct hits that devastated two large areas of the railway and destroyed several of the standing railroad cars. Commander Hays’ exceptional courage and determination in accurately pressing home his attack in the face of heavy opposition were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in addition to a previously awarded Silver Star in lieu of a Seventh Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Commander Ronald Jackson Hays (NSN: 0-532873/1310), United States Navy, for heroic achievement while participating in aerial flight as pilot of a jet attack aircraft attached to and serving as Commanding Officer of Attack Squadron EIGHTY-FIVE (VA-84), embarked in U.S.S. KITTY HAWK (CVA-63), during a daring Air Wing ELEVEN daylight coordinated strike against the Van Dien Army Supply Depot, five miles south of Hanoi, North Vietnam on 19 May 1967. Penetrating the most formidable defensive environment in the history of modern warfare, as leader of the A-6 attack element, Commander Hays, unerringly used his complex aircraft weapons system to provide the navigation lead for the entire strike group, composed of 19 airplanes, over 120 miles of hostile enemy territory, much of which was obscured by a billowing cloud cover. In the target area Commander Hays displayed a high degree of courage and professional skill by leading his flight safely to the precise roll-in point despite an extremely intense concentration of surface-to-air missiles, anti-aircraft fire, and the announced threat of airborne MiG interceptors. Commander Hays gallantly disregarded the determined defenses, positioned the strike group for a highly successful visual dive bombing run, then delivered his bombs on target. During retirement through continued intense missile and flak activity, Commander Hays’ faultless judgment and airborne leadership were prime factors in the safe egress of the strike group for the hazardous environment. By his outstanding performance, gallantry, and loyal devotion to duty in the face of grave personal danger, Commander Hays brought great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Fourth Gold Star in lieu of a Fifth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Commander Ronald Jackson Hays (NSN: 0-532873/1310), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as pilot of a jet attack aircraft attached to and serving as Commanding Officer of Attack Squadron EIGHTY-FIVE (VA-84), embarked in U.S.S. KITTY HAWK (CVA-63), during a coordinated night strike against the jet interceptor base at Kep, North Vietnam on 24 April 1967. Commander Hays, as the strike leader, astutely planned and courageously executed the daring two plane attack on the target heavily defended by numerous surface-to-air missile sites, anti-aircraft and automatic weapons batteries and MiG interceptors. The alert posture of the defenses, following the initial North Vietnamese airfield strike during the afternoon of the same day, was readily apparent. Nevertheless, Commander Hays skillfully followed the contours of the mountainous ridges with clearances less than 100 feet at times and courageously pursued the high speed attack. However, protection which may have been afforded by the mountainous terrain terminated with the end of a low ridge four miles east of the target. Approaching the target cyclic barrage fire from heavy anti-aircraft artillery batteries turned night into day and buffeted the airplane, yet Commander Hays continued and visually acquired the white runway at two miles to go to bomb release. While under an umbrella formed by converging tracer fire he resolutely executed a highly successful low altitude bombing run which resulted in bomb impacts in the reveted parking and supply areas south of the runway which were his assigned targets. His daring leadership in planning, briefing and leading the strike, and his personal gallantry and loyal devotion to duty in the face of heavy enemy fire brought great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.