The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat “V” to Captain Norman Lea Hutchings Frith, II (AFSN: FR-29074), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as a F-105 Electronic Warfare Officer over North Vietnam on 23 April 1967. On that date, Captain Frith was in an element of two F-105 aircraft on a classified mission against one of the most heavily defended target complexes in North Vietnam. Despite intense, accurately directed anti-aircraft fire, he willingly risked his life to perform his classified mission until all strike aircraft were out of the target area. Captain Frith with skillful determination and unwavering courage also accounted for extensive damage to an active surface-to-air missile site. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Captain Frith reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Awards Received
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Silver Star
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Silver Star
Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Orders G-801 (June 6, 1967)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 Norman Lea Hutchings Frith, II (AFSN: FR-29074), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as an F-105 Electronic Warfare Officer over North Vietnam on 18 April 1967. On that date, Captain Frith was in an element of two F-105’s on a classified mission against one of the most heavily defended target complexes in North Vietnam. Despite intense accurately directed hostile anti-aircraft fire and the launching of surface-to-air missiles directly at his aircraft, he willingly risked his life to perform his mission until all strike aircraft were safely out of the target area. Captain Frith with undaunted determination, indomitable courage, and professional skill made devastating attacks against two separate SA-2 missile sites even after his aircraft was damaged by hostile fire. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Captain Frith has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Orders G-118 (July 13, 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 to Captain Norman Lea Hutchings Frith, II (AFSN: FR-29074), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as the Electronic Warfare Officer of an F-105F aircraft over North Vietnam, on 30 April 1967. On that date, Captain Frith was in the lead aircraft of a flight of four F-105 aircraft on a classified mission against one of the most heavily defended target complexes in North Vietnam. When two members of the flight were shot down by MiG-21 aircraft, Captain Frith pinpointed the location of the downed crewmen and directed the rescue operation while providing his flight with valuable information which enabled them to successfully disengage from the many surface-to-air missile launch attempts. Captain Frith capped the recovery operation long after the main strike force had departed, and remained in the hostile area until darkness prohibited any further rescue efforts. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Frith reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.