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 Lieutenant Colonel Benjamin C. Murph (AFSN: FR-52665), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 pilot near Thai Ngyen, North Vietnam, on 11 March 1967. On that date, Lieutenant Colonel Murph was alternate mission commander for a strike force of forty F-105s assigned an important and well defended target north of Hanoi. Before reaching the objective, he was forced to evade a surface-to-air missile and other heavy defenses, but he continued with the attack and accurately delivered his bombs directly on the target. Lieutenant Colonel Murph’s superior leadership made a significant contribution to the destruction of this important target. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Colonel Murph reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

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 Lieutenant Colonel Benjamin C. Murph (AFSN: FR-52665), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 Pilot near Hanoi, North Vietnam, on 19 April 1967. On that date, Colonel Murph was Deputy Mission Commander of a force of twenty F-105 Thunderchiefs. He was attacked by four MiG aircraft en route to the target, but courageously led the force to a successful strike. Disregarding his own personal safety, and to protect his strike force, Colonel Murphy aggressively engaged two more MiGs attacking his flight as they egressed the target area. His daring an heroic action was directly responsible for the safe return of his flight. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Colonel Murph reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.