AWARDED DFC: 1
CONFLICT/SPACE FLIGHT/EVENT:  Vietnam
MODEL:  RF-4B

Citation:  1.) The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major Christian F. DeFries, Jr., United States Marine Corps, for service as set forth in the following citation: “For heroism while participating in aerial flight as a Pilot with Marine Composite Reconnaissance Squadron One, Marine Aircraft Group Eleven, First Marine Aircraft Wing in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On the morning of 17 June 1970, Major DeFries launched from the DaNang Air Base as Aircraft Commander of an RF-4 Phantom aircraft assigned an aerial reconnaissance mission to gain photographic coverage of two high priority targets in a heavily defended sector of enemy-controlled territory. While enroute to the target area, he briefed the pilot of the escorting fighter aircraft on maintaining a one-half mile trail position with altitude enough for a roll in upon aggressive activity against the unarmed reconnaissance aircraft. Arriving over the initial point, he found that the mountains were partially obscured by low-hanging clouds. Undaunted by the adverse conditions which forced him to adopt a dangerously exposed low altitude flight pattern, Major DeFries resolutely commenced his run and skillfully maneuvered his Phantom through the treacherously overcast mountains and numerous rain showers and successfully completed two photo runs. Pulling off the second run up into the clouds, he was informed that his electronic countermeasures equipment indicated contact surveillance by enemy gun laying radars. Undeterred by this information, Major DeFries completely disregarded his own safety as he descended through the cloud layer to commence his third, and final run. Although he encountered a heavy volume of hostile antiaircraft fire, he initiated countermeasures to break the radar contact and fearlessly maneuvered his Phantom through the enemy fire to complete the run and photograph the target to gain one hundred percent coverage. Major DeFries’s courage, superior airmanship, and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger were instrumental in accomplishing the extremely hazardous mission and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.