The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Second Lieutenant (Air Corps) Bruce Ward Carr (AFSN: FR-16522/ASN: 0-887280), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a P-51 Fighter Pilot of the 353d Fighter Squadron, 354th Fighter Group, NINTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the European Theater of Operations on 29 October 1944. Lieutenant Carr led a flight of P-51 type aircraft on a dive-bombing and strafing mission against enemy airfields in the vicinity of Giebelstadt, and demonstrated outstanding courage and aerial proficiency in vigorously attacking the enemy formation. Despite battle damage to his aircraft, he pressed home his attacks with particular effectiveness, destroying one enemy aircraft and affording vital protection to the members of his formation while dispersing the remainder of the hostile planes. The brilliant leadership and tactical technique which he exhibited on this occasion reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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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
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Service 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 Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Colonel Bruce Ward Carr (AFSN: FR-16522/ASN: 0-887280), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-100 Pilot southwest of Binh Thuy, Republic of Vietnam, on 28 December 1968. On that date, Colonel Carr relentlessly attacked an unknown size hostile force that was defending a base camp and supply area. Attacking under conditions of an immediate hostile threat, Colonel Carr bombed the hostile positions with deadly accuracy, destroying the base camp and supply area. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Colonel Carr reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Second Lieutenant (Air Corps)Batallion:
353d Fighter SquadronRegiment:
354th Fighter GroupDivision:
9th Air ForceAction Date:
September 12, 1944
Headquarters, 9th Air Force, General Orders No. 267 (November 13, 1944)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant (Air Corps) Bruce Ward Carr (AFSN: FR-16522/ASN: 0-887280), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy as a P-51 Fighter Pilot of the 353d Fighter Squadron, 354th Fighter Group, NINTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the European Theater of Operations, on 12 September 1944. After fearlessly leading his flight of P-51 type aircraft in an attack upon an enemy airfield in the vicinity of Frankfurt, Lieutenant Carr demonstrated extraordinary courage in leading an attack upon a large number of hostile aircraft. In individual combat which ranged from high altitude to deck level, he fearlessly pressed home his attack and succeeded in destroying three of the enemy planes while assisting in dispersing the remainder. Thereafter he escorted back to friendly territory a badly damaged aircraft of his group. The outstanding heroism and devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Carr on this occasion is in keeping with the highest traditions of the Army Air Forces.
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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 Colonel Bruce Ward Carr (AFSN: FR-16522/ASN: 0-887280), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an F-100 pilot eleven miles northwest of Tay Ninh City, Republic of Vietnam on 8 July 1969. On that date, Colonel Carr was diverted to strike hostile automatic weapons positions which had directed intense fire at friendly ground and air forces. On his first bombing pass both he and the Forward Air Controller received heavy defensive fire from these positions. Colonel Carr pressed the attack in spite of tracer fire that narrowly missed his aircraft. Disregarding his own safety, he made another bombing attack in the face of heavy fire and six additional bombing and strafing attacks completely destroying five gun sites and killing the hostile gunners. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Colonel Carr reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
ColonelAction Date:
November 27, 1968 – November 10, 1969
Headquarters, Pacific Air Force, Special Order G-15 (January 20, 1970)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Colonel Bruce Ward Carr (AFSN: FR-16522/ASN: 0-887280), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Assistant Deputy Commander and as Deputy Commander for Operations, 31st Tactical Fighter Wing, Republic of Vietnam, from 27 November 1968 to 10 November 1969. In these important assignments, the leadership, exemplary foresight and ceaseless efforts consistently demonstrated by Colonel Carr resulted in significant contributions to the United States mission in Southeast Asia. His superb programs established as Deputy Commander for Operations optimized the effectiveness of the 31st Tactical Fighter Wing’s combat history. The superior initiative, outstanding leadership and personal endeavor displayed by Colonel Carr 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 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Colonel Bruce Ward Carr (AFSN: FR-16522/ASN: 0-887280), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-100 pilot, 20 miles northeast of Saigon, Republic of Vietnam, on 11 March 1969. On that date, Colonel Carr flew in support of friendly ground forces in close contact with a hostile force. In spite of extremely poor visibility and the absolute necessity for accuracy caused by the close proximity of the friendly force to the target, Colonel Carr placed all his ordnance exactly on target, resulting in heavy losses to the hostile troops and forcing their retreat. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Colonel Carr reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Service Cross
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
First Lieutenant (Air Corps)Batallion:
353d Fighter SquadronRegiment:
354th Fighter GroupDivision:
9th Air ForceAction Date:
April 2, 1945
Headquarters, U.S. Strategic Forces in Europe, General Orders No. 55 (May 27, 1945)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Bruce Ward Carr (AFSN: FR-16522/ASN: 0-887280), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-51 Fighter Airplane in the 353d Fighter Squadron, 354th Fighter Group, NINTH Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces on 2 April 1945, in the European Theater of Operations. On this date, while leading four aircraft on an armed reconnaissance mission near Schweinfurt, Germany, Lieutenant Carr observed more than sixty enemy fighters flying high above. Completely disregarding his personal safety and the enemy’s overwhelming numerical superiority and tactical advantage of altitude, he led his element in a direct attack on the hostile force, personally destroying five enemy aircraft and damaging still another. The extraordinary heroism and determination of this officer to destroy the enemy are in keeping with the highest traditions of the Armed Forces of the United States.