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.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Legion of Merit
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Silver Star
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant ColonelRegiment:
355th Tactical Fighter WingAction Date:
March 11, 1967
Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Orders G-1203 (July 14, 1967)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.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant ColonelBatallion:
428th Tactical Fighter SquadronDivision:
Takhli Royal Thai Air Base, ThailandAction Date:
June 6, 1968 – November 19, 1968
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 Lieutenant Colonel Benjamin C. Murph (AFSN: FR-52665), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commander, Detachment One, 428th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Takhli Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in operations against an opposing armed force, from 6 June 1968 to 19 November 1968. During this period, Lieutenant Colonel Murph demonstrated a true example of superior leadership which inspired a highly motivated team to mission dedication. The exemplary leadership, personal endeavor, and devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Colonel Murph in this responsible position reflects great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant ColonelRegiment:
355th Tactical Fighter WingAction Date:
April 20, 1967
Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Orders G-803 (June 7, 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 Lieutenant Colonel Benjamin C. Murph (AFSN: FR-52665), United States Air Force, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as Commander of a strike force of twenty F-105’s of the 355th Tactical Fighter Wing near Xuan Mui, North Vietnam, on 20 April 1967. On that date, Colonel Murph, as pilot of the lead aircraft of the strike force, located and directed the bombing of hostile military installations despite extremely marginal weather conditions and intense ground fire. With complete disregard for his own safety, he exposed his aircraft to hostile radar controlled guns and surface-to-air missiles in leading the force and causing complete destruction of the target. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Colonel Murph has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant ColonelRegiment:
355th Tactical Fighter WingAction Date:
December 4, 1966
Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Orders G-441 (March 27, 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 Lieutenant Colonel Benjamin C. Murph (AFSN: FR-52665), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as a Tactical Fighter Pilot in Southeast Asia on 4 December 1966. On that date, Colonel Murphy led an element of two F-105 Thunderchief fighter-bomber aircraft launched against a heavily defended vital railroad yard deep within North Vietnam. En route to the target he was diverted to another high priority target due to bad weather. Colonel Murph, displaying cool courage in the face of intense hostile ground fire, dove to place his bombs directly on target. Pulling off his target, he observed hostile jet fighters headed toward the remaining strike force still inbound to the target. With complete disregard for his personal safety, Colonel Murph led his element in an attack against the numerically superior hostile formation. This courageous and aggressive attack, against superior odds, completely disrupted the hostile pilots in their attempt to halt the bombing attack. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Colonel Murph reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.