The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Third Gold Star in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Commander Joseph Francis Frick (NSN: 0-569972), United States Navy, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as a pilot of jet aircraft while serving as Commander Attack Carrier Air Wing FOURTEEN embarked in U.S.S. ENTERPRISE (CVAN-65). On 27 December 1972, Commander Frick was the pilot of an A-6A Intruder on a single-plane, night low-level strike mission against the Haiphong Thermal Power Plant in support of United States Air Force B-52 raids on the Hanoi-Haiphong heartland of North Vietnam. Flying through a hail of anti-aircraft fire and harassed by enemy fire-control radars, he accurately placed his ordnance on target, causing two secondary explosions and a sustained fire, substantially damaging the enemy installation. Commander Frick’s superb airmanship, courage, and devotion to duty reflected great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Awards Received
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Legion of Merit
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Legion of Merit
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Silver Star
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Rear AdmiralAction Date:
October 1980 – August 1983
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit to Rear Admiral Joseph Francis Frick (NSN: 0-569972), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commander Naval Base, Norfolk, Virginia, from October 1980 through August 1983. Rear Admiral Frick’s superb leadership and innovative thinking produced a tour notable for its extraordinary achievements. He was an extremely strong and effective advocate for improvement of shore support facilities for the Navy’s operating forces. As a direct result of his efforts, waterfront services were upgraded, construction of new piers begun, and facilities were expanded at the air station to support the introduction of new air squadrons. Rear Admiral Frick initiated a major effort to improve the overall appearance of the naval base which furthered the sense of pride in the professionals who served thereon. His personal and aggressive involvement contributed greatly to improved support of Navy men and women and their families. He provided new energy and direction to the Family Services Center which became a major asset for the Navy’s retention program. Rear Admiral Frick provided his considerable support to virtually all of Tidewater’s many Navy-oriented service organizations, including most notably the Navy Relief Association, the Combined Federal Campaign, and the Armed Forces YMCA. His responsibility for community relations for the world’s largest naval complex was discharged with unequaled personal involvement and professional diplomacy. By his outstanding accomplishments, sound judgment, and inspiring devotion to duty, Rear Admiral Frick reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderRegiment:
Carrier Air Wing 14Division:
U.S.S. Enterprise (CVAN-65)Action Date:
December 28, 1972
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Commander Joseph Francis Frick (NSN: 0-569972), United States Navy, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as a pilot of jet aircraft while serving as Commander Attack Carrier Air Wing FOURTEEN embarked in U.S.S. ENTERPRISE (CVAN-65). On 28 December 1972, Commander Frick was the leader of a major air wing ALPHA Strike against Radio Communications Station Number THREE and two surface-to-air missile sites in the Hanoi area of North Vietnam. Despite fierce enemy opposition and adverse weather conditions he displayed superior skill in maintaining flight integrity and maneuvering the divisions of the strike group into position to execute an attack on their assigned targets. Although faced with the threat of attacking hostile aircraft and anti-aircraft fire of scathing intensity he valiantly led his Division into the attack and delivered his ordnance on target. Commander Frick’s superb airmanship, courage and devotion to duty in the face of obvious danger reflected great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderRegiment:
Carrier Air Wing 14Division:
U.S.S. Enterprise (CVAN-65)Action Date:
September 20, 1972 – April 7, 1943
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Commander Joseph Francis Frick (NSN: 0-569972), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States while serving as Commander Attack Carrier Air Wing FOURTEEN embarked in U.S.S. ENTERPRISE (CVAN-65) from 20 September 1972 to 7 April 1973. Commander Frick displayed superb leadership in organizing and directing air attacks against the enemy, in fore fronting the most demanding and hazardous missions, and in inspiring all aircrews to perform with valor under enemy fire. He significantly increased the combat effectiveness and performance standards of maintenance and support personnel by ensuring strict adherence to a policy of full systems reliability for all aircraft and weapons employed greatly enhanced the combat readiness of the ENTERPRISE/Air Wing FOURTEEN team. Commander Frick’s devotion to duty, resourcefulness and outstanding professional skill reflected great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. (Commander Frick is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderRegiment:
Carrier Air Wing 14Division:
U.S.S. Enterprise (CVAN-65)Action Date:
November 11, 1972
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Commander Joseph Francis Frick (NSN: 0-569972), United States Navy, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as a pilot of jet aircraft while serving as Commander Attack Carrier Air Wing FOURTEEN embarked in U.S.S. ENTERPRISE (CVAN-65). On 11 November 1972, Commander Frick led a highly successful coordinated air wing strike against the Bai Thuong Airfield in North Vietnam. He skillfully led his forces through inclement weather to the optimum position from which to strike this heavily defended target in a daring dive bombing attack which placed the majority of the strike’s ordnance directly on target. Disregarding numerous surface-to-air missiles and a hail of anti-aircraft fire, he personally supervised the post-strike reconnaissance and air wing egress. Post-strike photography revealed sixteen bomb craters in the runway, rendering it useless to the enemy. Commander Frick’s courageous leadership and aerial skill reflected great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderRegiment:
Attack Carrier Air Wing 14Division:
U.S.S. Enterprise (CVAN-65)Action Date:
October 21, 1972
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Commander Joseph Francis Frick (NSN: 0-569972), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy as a pilot of jet aircraft while serving as Commander Attack Carrier Air Wing FOURTEEN embarked in U.S.S. ENTERPRISE (CVAN-65). On 21 October 1972, Commander Frick was the pilot of an A-6A Intruder on a daring single-plane low-level night mission against the Bac Giang Thermal power plant serving the industrial complex of the Hanoi/Haiphong area. Penetrating the effective firing envelope of the several surface-to-air missile sites en route to the target, Commander Frick encountered a continual hail of accurate enemy anti-aircraft fire. Evading a volley of tracking enemy missiles in the target area, he demonstrated extraordinary heroism in executing a precision systems attack. With his bombs scoring direct hits, the power plant complex erupted in a series of large secondary explosions which successfully disrupted the source of power for the surrounding industrial complex. Commander Frick’s courageous action in the face of stiff enemy resistance dealt a crippling blow to the enemy’s war making potential and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderBatallion:
Attack Squadron 35 (VA-35)Division:
U.S.S. Coral Sea (CVA-43)Action Date:
May 3, 1970
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Commander Joseph Francis Frick (NSN: 0-569972), United States Navy, for heroism while participating in aerial flight while serving as Commanding Officer of Attack Squadron THIRTY-FIVE (VA-35), embarked in U.S.S. CORAL SEA (CVA-35). On 3 May 1970, Commander Frick planned and led a 23-plane coordinated air wing strike against the enemy in Southeast Asia. He skillfully led his forces to the optimum position from which to strike enemy logistics and supplies along three heavily defended road segments. Disregarding a hail of enemy anti-aircraft fire, he pressed his attack and personally destroyed four enemy trucks and severely damaged a supply storage area which was left in flames. Commander Frick’s courageous leadership and aerial skill were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.