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 Captain Charles Bailey Neel (AFSN: FR-62706), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an F-100 Forward Air Controller with the 416th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Bien Hoa Air Base, South Vietnam, directing fighter aircraft over North Vietnam on 2 November 1967. On that date, Captain Neel directed a series of fighter attacks on a concentration of twenty-nine 37 millimeter and 57 millimeter antiaircraft artillery guns which were protecting a strategic area of North Vietnam. With complete disregard for his own personal safety, he remained at a dangerously low altitude over the target for an aggregate of over two hours. He repeatedly dove his unarmed aircraft into the face of withering hostile fire in order to expose the firing positions and to draw the flak away from the less maneuverable, ordnance-laden fighters. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Captain Neel reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Legion of Merit
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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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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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
ColonelAction Date:
February 6, 1984 – November 30, 1987
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit to Colonel Charles Bailey Neel (AFSN: FR-62706), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as commander, Distant Early Warning Systems Office, 4700th Air Defense Squadron, Tactical Air Command, Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado, from 6 February 1984 to 30 November 1987. In this important assignment, the leadership, exemplary foresight, and ceaseless efforts consistently demonstrated by Colonel Neel resulted in significant contributions to the effectiveness and success of the Distant Early Warning Systems Program. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Neel culminate a long and distinguished career in the service of his and reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainBatallion:
416th Tactical Fighter SquadronDivision:
Bien Hoa Air Base, South VietnamAction Date:
Vietnam War
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: 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 Captain Charles Bailey Neel (AFSN: FR-62706), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-100 Forward Air Controller with the 416th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Bien Hoa Air Base, South Vietnam, in action in Southeast Asia in 1967. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Neel reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainBatallion:
416th Tactical Fighter SquadronDivision:
Bien Hoa Air Base, South VietnamAction Date:
November 8, 1967
Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Orders No. G-251 (January 20, 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 with Combat “V” to Captain Charles Bailey Neel (AFSN: FR-62706), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an F-100 Forward Air Controller with the 416th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Bien Hoa Air Base, South Vietnam, operating over North Vietnam on 8 November 1967. On that date, Captain Neel repeatedly flew through intense hostile antiaircraft artillery fire at low altitude in order to locate heavily camouflaged, highly lucrative fuel storage facilities. As he began his dive through the exploding flak to mark the target for the arriving fighters, he was shot down over hostile territory. As a direct result of his courage and persistence in the face of intense hostile fire, this valuable target was precisely located, attacked, and destroyed. The outstanding heroism and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Neel reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainBatallion:
416th Tactical Fighter SquadronDivision:
Bien Hoa Air Base, South VietnamAction Date:
June 27, 1967
Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Orders No. G-1954 (November 9, 1967)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 Charles Bailey Neel (AFSN: FR-62706), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an F-100 Forward Air Controller with the 416th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Bien Hoa Air Base, South Vietnam, in action in the Republic of Vietnam, on 27 June 1967. On that date, Captain Neel was a member of a flight of three F-100’s diverted from their pre-planned target to answer a request for immediate close air support by a United States Army Special Forces unit under heavy attack on three sides by an estimated four companies of North Vietnamese Army. Despite the extremely hazardous weather conditions and intense hostile ground fire, Captain Neel with complete disregard for his own personal safety, accurately delivered his ordnance in defense of the beleaguered friendly forces. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Captain Neel reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
ColonelAction Date:
July 25, 1981 – January 2, 1984
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 Charles Bailey Neel (AFSN: FR-62706), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commander, 50th Combat Support Group, Hahn Air Base, Germany, and as Vice Commander, 52d Tactical Fighter Wing, Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, from 25 July 1981 to 2 January 1984. In these important assignments the exemplary foresight and ceaseless efforts demonstrated by Colonel Neel resulted in significant contributions to German-American relations and the Tactical Air Force mission in Europe and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Neel and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainBatallion:
416th Tactical Fighter SquadronDivision:
Bien Hoa Air Base, South VietnamAction Date:
November 20, 1967
Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Orders No. G-551 (February 20, 1968), Amended by Special Order G-02591 (1968)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Fourth Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fifth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Charles Bailey Neel (AFSN: FR-62706), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-100 Forward Air Controller with the 416th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Bien Hoa Air Base, South Vietnam, operating over North Vietnam on 20 November 1967. On that date, Captain Neel located the survivor of an aircraft which was shot down over extremely hostile territory and directed a rescue helicopter to his position. With superior aggressiveness and airmanship he located and strafed gun positions which were firing on the survivor and rescue aircraft from close range, completely suppressing the hostile fire and allowing a safe recovery to be accomplished. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Neel reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainBatallion:
416th Tactical Fighter SquadronDivision:
Bien Hoa Air Base, South VietnamAction Date:
October 13, 1967
Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Orders No. G-172 (January 16, 1968)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 Charles Bailey Neel (AFSN: FR-62706), United States Air Force, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force as a Forward Air Controller with the 416th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Bien Hoa Air Base, South Vietnam, directing fighter aircraft over North Vietnam on 13 October 1967. On that date, while conducting attacks against hostile antiaircraft artillery, Captain Neel was requested to attempt to destroy field artillery positions which had been shelling friendly forces south of the Demilitarized Zone. Intense antiaircraft artillery in this area had prevented previous attacks from hitting the field artillery and had shot down one fighter aircraft. With complete disregard for his own personal safety, Captain Neel intentionally dove his aircraft through extremely intense barrages of the hostile 37 millimeter flak to draw the fire away from the tactical fighter who, as a result, were able to attack without harassment and destroy the target. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Captain Neel has reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.