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 William Elbridge McDaniel, Jr. (AFSN: 14835224/3145450), United States Air Force, for gallantry in action in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force while serving with the 13th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Udorn Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, on 5 March 1971. On that date, Captain McDaniel led a flight of two F-4D tactical fighters that contributed greatly to the successful conclusion of a Search and Rescue operation for seven downed air crew members in Southeast Asia. Despite intense and accurate automatic weapons fire directed at his aircraft, Captain McDaniel made repeated passes against the gun positions and stopped the advance of hostile forces attempting to capture the downed aircrew. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Captain McDaniel has reflected 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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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainBatallion:
13th Tactical Fighter SquadronAction Date:
March 21, 1971
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 William Elbridge McDaniel, Jr. (AFSN: 14835224/3145450), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-4D Aircraft Commander at Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, on 21 March 1971. On that date, Captain McDaniel led a flight of two F-4D tactical fighters against a hostile bunker complex located on top of a jagged karst peak in Southeast Asia. Despite difficult target geometry, marginal visibility and intense and accurate small arms and automatic weapons fire, Captain McDaniel delivered his ordnance with precision destroying forty bunkers and an estimated 2,500 rounds of small arms with thirty secondary explosions and two secondary fires. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain McDaniel reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainBatallion:
13th Tactical Fighter SquadronAction Date:
October 18, 1970
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 William Elbridge McDaniel, Jr. (AFSN: 14835224/3145450), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-4D Aircraft Commander at Udorn Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, on 18 October 1970. On that date, Captain McDaniel directed a flight of two F-4D tactical fighters while acting as an F-4D “Fast Mover” Forward Air Controller against several active hostile anti-aircraft gun positions. Captain McDaniel repeatedly exposed himself to intense and highly accurate anti-aircraft fire to expose the gun positions while directing the fighter attacks. His efforts resulted in the destruction of two of the guns and damage to others. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain McDaniel reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.