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 Lieutenant Norman Richard Green, Jr. (NSN: 0-659077/1310), United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a pilot with Light Photographic Squadron SIXTY-TWO, Detachment 42, embarked in U.S.S. FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT (CVA-42), on 2 December 1966. Lieutenant Green was a leader of a section consisting of one jet photographic reconnaissance and one fighter escort aircraft on a mission in the area of the Van Dien military complex at Hanoi, North Vietnam. Tasked with obtaining weather reconnaissance of the primary route for the strike group, he carefully planned his mission; proceeded at high speed and navigated precisely over the route. Arriving in the target area, he calmly and accurately recorded the required reconnaissance data despite the high threat posed by the most heavily defended area of North Vietnam. As hostile MiG aircraft launched a pursuit, he compiled his data and, while over enemy territory, relayed a complete and precise weather report to the force. Throughout the ensuing strike, he skillfully maneuvered his aircraft to obtain outstanding photographic coverage. A total of 14 surface-to-air missiles were fired against the friendly forces, and as he maneuvered to avoid them, Lieutenant Green continually called the positions and trajectories of the missiles for the benefit of others in the flight. In the face of intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire of all calibers and at great personal risk, he obtained outstanding photography of the bomb and rocket damage, residual fires and target defenses. This vital photography also pinpointed the location of anti-aircraft defenses throughout the area, thus insuring greater safety to aircraft proceeding into the area on future strikes. Lieutenant Green’s bravery and persistence in the face of intense enemy opposition, leadership abilities, and concern for the safety of others were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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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
Service:
United States NavyRank:
LieutenantBatallion:
Light Photographic Squadron 62Regiment:
Detachment 42Division:
U.S.S. Franklin D. Roosevelt (CVA-42)Action Date:
September 6, 1966
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Norman Richard Green, Jr. (NSN: 0-659077/1310), United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving with Light Photographic Squadron SIXTY-TWO, Detachment 42, in U.S.S. FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT (CVA-42), on 6 September 1966. Lieutenant Green, as flight leader for a section composed of one RF-8G and one F-4B aircraft, penetrated the Haiphong complex to obtain surveillance photography of the vital shipping vessels. Positioning his support aircraft to give maximum defensive protection, Lieutenant Green proceeded down the harbor, subjected to severe and intense anti-aircraft fire from the enemy. With complete disregard for his own personal safety he completed his photographic run and received a direct anti-aircraft burst in the left wing of his aircraft. Lieutenant Green’s outstanding aggressive leadership and professional competence in airmanship were responsible for the successful completion of the mission and the safe return of his badly damaged aircraft to the carrier. Lieutenant Green’s dedication to the fulfillment of the mission, prowess as a naval aviator, conspicuous heroism and bravery under fire were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States NavyRank:
LieutenantBatallion:
Light Photographic Squadron 62Regiment:
Detachment 42Division:
U.S.S. Franklin D. Roosevelt (CVA-42)Action Date:
November 1, 1966
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Norman Richard Green, Jr. (NSN: 0-659077/1310), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in aerial flight as a pilot of jet reconnaissance aircraft attached to and serving with Light Photographic Squadron SIXTY-TWO, Detachment 42, in U.S.S. FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT (CVA-42), on 1 November 1966. Lieutenant Green led a flight of five aircraft on a mission to obtain photographic reconnaissance of vital shipping in the area of the North Vietnam port facility and harbor at Haiphong. Upon approaching the area, his reconnaissance section was fired upon by a surface-to-air guided missile. Having observed the missile lift off, he quickly decided upon a bold and gallant course of action well beyond that impelled by duty. After successfully evading the missile he turned his reconnaissance section of unarmed aircraft to dive directly at the site. Although a second missile was fired, he courageously pressed his run, obtaining outstanding strike photography of the newly constructed and well camouflaged missile site. Detaching his wingman to guide the support aircraft in for an attack which damaged the site, Lieutenant Green then proceeded to accomplish the primary mission by executing a daring, unescorted run through the Haiphong harbor. Outstanding photography was obtained and all aircraft returned safely to the ship despite the grave threat of hostile MiG aircraft then airborne in the area. Lieutenant Green volunteered to return to the scene for bomb damage assessment. He accomplished his primary mission of bomb damage assessment in an outstanding manner. His complete grasp of every facet of the tactical employment of his aircraft and flight, daring leadership, rapid and aggressive decisions, expert airmanship and photographic ability, concern for the safety of others, and gallant and intrepid actions in the face of grave danger resulted in the destruction of two surface-to-air missile sites and in the gathering of intelligence data vital to the safe conduct of future operations in the area. The outstanding manner in which Lieutenant Green successfully led both missions has thoroughly distinguished both himself and the United States Naval Service.