Navy Federal Credit Union

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 Captain Phillip Lee Carson (AFSN: 0-3138041), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a F-100 pilot near Cau Mau, Republic of Vietnam on 6 March 1968. On that date, Captain Carson completed his assigned objective in accordance with the highest military standards. The tenacity and aggressiveness of this officer to complete the objectives with professional airmanship and outstanding courage reflects only the highest degree of devotion to his mission. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Carson reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Captain

    Action Date:

    August 15, 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 to Captain Phillip Lee Carson (AFSN: 0-3138041), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-100 pilot near Tay Ninh, Republic of Vietnam, on 15 August 1968. On that date, Captain Carson scrambled from the Bien Hoa Air Base alert facility to provide close air support for a platoon of the 5th Special Forces Group, threatened with being overrun by a much larger hostile force. Although hampered by driving rain which severely restricted visibility, Captain Carson repeatedly attacked the hostile positions in a spirited defense of the friendly forces. On each pass, he braved intense anti-aircraft fire from numerous hostile automatic weapons positions. Captain Carson’s accurate ordnance delivery destroyed the hostile force, relieving the pressure against the friendly troops and saving many American lives. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Carson reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Captain

    Action Date:

    September 14, 1968

    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 to Captain Phillip Lee Carson (AFSN: 0-3138041), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-100 pilot near Loc Ninh, Republic of Vietnam, on 14 September 1968. On that date, Captain Carson scrambled from Bien Hoa Air Base to provide close air support for elements of the 1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, which were greatly outnumbered by a regiment of the North Vietnamese Army 7th Division. The friendly troops were pinned down in extremely close proximity to the heavily-fortified bunker complex. Captain Carson repeatedly braved intense anti-aircraft fire to deliver his ordnance accurately on the hostile fortifications. His courage and exceptional accuracy resulted in serious losses to the hostile forces and relieved the pressure on the friendly troops. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Carson reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Captain

    Action Date:

    September 17, 1968

    Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Orders No. G-105 (January 8, 1969)

    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 Phillip Lee Carson (AFSN: 0-3138041), United States Air Force, for gallantry in action in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force near Dau Tieng, Republic of Vietnam, on 17 September 1968. On that date, Captain Carson defended a fire support base of the 25th United States Infantry Division which had come under heavy attack and was at the point of being overrun by two battalions of hostile troops. Although severely restricted by 1,000 foot overcast clouds, less than three miles visibility, and marginal flare light in the pre-dawn darkness, Captain Carson repeatedly braved intense barrages of anti-aircraft fire to accurately deliver his ordnance into the hostile positions. His courage, determination, and exceptional skill against nearly insurmountable odds won victory for the friendly forces and inflicted devastating losses on the hostile attackers. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Captain Carson reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.