AWARDED DFC: 3
CONFLICT/SPACE FLIGHT/EVENT:  Vietnam
MODEL:  A-6A

Citation:  1.) The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major Fred "J" Cone for heroism and extraordinary achievement in aerial flight while serving as a pilot with Marine All Weather Attack Squadron 242, Marine Aircraft Group Eleven, First Marine Aircraft Wing in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. Late on the night of 9 June 1967, Major Cone launched as the Pilot of an A-6A attack aircraft assigned a night interdiction mission against a central railroad complex int the midst of the heavily defended Red River Delta near Nam Dinh, North Vietnam. Realizing the dangers of hostile radar, surface to air missiles and intense ground fire, he executed a low altitude, high speed approach over the Gulf of Tonkin to avoid the extensive coastal missile network. Utilizing the aircraft complex navigational system, he sped over the flat terrain, which was studded with enemy defensive positions. Suddenly, sensitive devices aboard his aircraft warned that enemy radar was tracking its course and it came under sporadic tracer fire. Although he quickly altered course, he continued to receive accurate medium and heavy antiaircraft artillery fire. Undaunted, Major Cone displayed outstanding aeronautical skill and courage as he steadfastly continued on course, maneuvering his aircraft to evade enemy fire. Seconds from the target, he encountered an extremely heavy volume of fire, which, if executed evasive maneuvers, would mean the loss of his mission. Exhibiting resolute determination and exceptional presence of mind, he calmly climbed to release altitude, fully aware that he that he would enter the dangerous zone of interlocking missile and ground fire. Over the target he released his entire ordinance load of thousand of pounds of high explosives with pinpoint accuracy, destroying the rail complex. With the explosion of the bombs, the enemy intensified their tracking fire. However, by his superior airmanship, he safely departed the hazardous area and returned to his base. Major Cone's exceptional skill, fearless action and unswerving devotion to duty, initiative and selfless devotion to duty contributed significantly to the accomplishment of his unit's mission and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.

2.) The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting a gold star in lieu of the second Distinguished Flying Cross to Major Fred "J" Cone for heroism and extraordinary achievement in aerial flight while serving with Marine All Weather Attack Squadron 242, Marine Aircraft Group Eleven, First Marine Aircraft Wing in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. Late on the evening of 31 July 1967, Major Cone launched as Pilot of an A-6A attack aircraft assigned a night interdiction mission against a heavily defended barracks area that served as a troop marshalling point in North Vietnam. Despite the adverse conditions encountered in flying through the darkness over uncharted mountainous terrain in poor weather, he displayed exceptional aeronautical ability and resolute determination as he continually updated his navigation, readjusted his course to avoid severe thunderstorms and utilized his complex equipment to skillfully fly his aircraft to the target area. Aware that his aircraft had come under radar surveillance and that two hostile aircraft had been launched to intercept it, Major Cone, completely disregarding his own safety, courageously commenced his attack. Undaunted by the enemy's integrated defense surface-to-air missiles and radar controlled antiaircraft weapons, he exhibited fearless composure as he resolutely continued the attack and accurately delivered four and one half tons of high explosive ordnance on the target. He then expeditiously departed the area, flying his aircraft in low level, high speed evasive maneuvers through the rugged terrain that enabled him to out-maneuver the pursuing hostile aircraft and return safely to base. Major Cone's superior airmanship, courage and selfless devotion to duty at great personal risk were instrumental in completing the hazardous mission and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.

3.) The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting a gold star in lieu of the third Distinguished Flying Cross to Major Fred "J" Cone for heroism and extraordinary achievement in aerial flight while serving with Marine All Weather Attack Squadron 242, Marine Aircraft Group Eleven, First Marine Aircraft Wing in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. Late on the evening of 11 October 1967, Major Cone launched as Pilot of an A-6A attack aircraft assigned a night interdiction mission against a heavily defended airfield in North Vietnam. Displaying exceptional aeronautical ability, he skillfully utilized his aircraft's complex navigational system to maneuver through the darkness over uncharted, mountainous terrain in extremely adverse weather, continually updating navigational headings and readjusting the aircraft's course to avoid severe thunderstorms along the route. Undaunted by the enemy's integrated defense of surface-to-air missiles, radio controlled antiaircraft artillery and automatic weapons positions, he courageously and resolutely left the protection of masking terrain, gaining altitude to acquire the target in preparation for his attack. Immediately, his aircraft was detected by enemy radar and came under hostile fire. Exhibiting outstanding airmanship and composure, Major Cone completely disregarded his own safety as steadfastly maintained course, despite the increasing intensity of the ground fire, and delivered four and one half tons of high explosive ordnance with pinpoint accuracy on target. Expeditiously departing the area at low altitude, he effectively maneuvered his aircraft to evade all tracking fire until he had penetrated the outer surface-to-air missile ring. Major Cone's superior aeronautical skill, bold determinations and selfless devotion to duty at great personal risk were instrumental in accomplishing the hazardous mission and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.