AMONG THE BRAVE
OPERATION ROLLING THUNDER… FOR CONSPICUOUS GALLANTRY AND INTREPIDITY IN ACTION…MAJOR MERLYN HANS DETHLEFSEN, USAF…
MEDAL OF HONOR…10 MARCH 1967
“The President of the United States of America, in the name of the Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR to MAJOR MERLYN HANS DETHLEFSEN, United States Air Force, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with the 354th Tactical fighter Squadron, 355th Tactical Fighter Wing, near Thai Nguyen, North Vietnam on 10 March 1967. MAJOR DETHLEFSEN was one of a flight of F-105 aircraft engaged in a fire suppression mission designed to destroy a key anti-aircraft defensive complex containing surface-to-air (SAM), an exceptionally heavy concentration of anti-aircraft artillery, and other automatic weapons. The defensive network was situated to dominate the approach and provide protection to an important North Vietnam industrial center that was scheduled to be attacked by fighter bombers immediately after the suppression strike by MAJOR DETHLEFSEN’s flight. In the initial attack on the defensive complex the lead aircraft was crippled, and MAJOR DETHLEFSEN’s aircraft was extensively damaged by the intense enemy fire. Realizing that the success of the impending fighter-bomber attack on the industrial center now depended on his ability to effectively suppress the defensive fire, MAJOR DETHLEFSEN ignored the enemy’s overwhelming firepower and the damage to his own aircraft and pressed his attack. Despite a continuing hail of anti-aircraft fire, deadly surface-to-air missiles, and counterattacks by MIG interceptors, MAJOR DETHLEFSEN flew repeated close range strikes to silence the enemy defensive positions with bombs and cannon fire. His actions in rendering ineffective the defensive SAM and anti-aircraft artillery sites enabled the ensuing fighter bombers to strike successfully the important industrial target without loss or damage to their aircraft, thereby appreciably reducing the enemy’s ability to provide essential war material. MAJOR DETHLEFSEN’s consummate skill and selfless dedication to this significant mission were in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Air Force and reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.”
The AIR FORCE CROSS was awarded to CAPTAIN KEVIN A. GILROY, USAF, for EXTRAORDINARY HEROISM as Major Dethlefsen’s Electronic Warfare Officer participating in the same heroic flight…
Vietnam Air Losses Record for Captain Kevin Gilroy shot down and rescued 7 August 1966.
