AWARDED DFC: 5
CONFLICT/SPACE FLIGHT/EVENT:  Vietnam
MODEL:  F-105

Citation:  1.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Thomas H. Edge for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 pilot near Mu Gia Pass, North Vietnam on 21 April 1968. On that date, Captain Edge was flying as number three in a flight of four F-l05s targeted against a concentration of trucks on a vulnerable road segment. While under intense hostile fire that damaged the aircraft of his wingman, Captain Edge destroyed two trucks, damaged two others and cratered an important line of communications. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Edge reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

2.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross (First Oak Leaf Cluster) to Captain Thomas H. Edge for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 pilot near Dong Hoi, North Vietnam 26 May 1968. On that date, Captain Edge was directed to attack a recently constructed radar controlled antiaircraft site that posed a serious threat to friendly forces. While facing intense hostile antiaircraft fire that surrounded is aircraft, Captain Edge selflessly continued his attack and completely silenced the site. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Edge reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

3.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross (Second Oak Leaf Cluster) to Major Thomas H. Edge for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 Pilot in Southeast Asia on 27 December 1972. On that date, disregarding intense and accurate antiaircraft fire, Major Edge was vital in the silencing of a surface-to-air missile site that had caused severe damage to allied aircraft. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Major Edge reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

4.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross (Third Oak Leaf Cluster) to Major Thomas H. Edge for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 Pilot in Southeast Asia on 20 December 1972. On that date, while escorting a high altitude bomber force to targets near Hanoi, North Vietnam, Major Edge repeatedly engaged key enemy air defense positions which opposed the bomber force. His aggressive and courageous attacks against a number of surface-to-air missile sites, in the face of intense antiaircraft fire, numerous missile launches and hostile interceptor aircraft, enabled the American forces to reach their targets, successfully complete their mission, and safely withdraw. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Major Edge reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

5.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross (Fourth Oak Leaf Cluster) to Major Thomas H. Edge for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 Pilot over Southeast Asia on 9 December 1972. On that date, while suppressing threatening air defenses in support of fighter-bomber strikes deep within North Vietnam, Major Edge attacked and destroyed key surface-to-air missile sites which opposed the strike force. His courageous attacks, conducted at low altitude in heavy antiaircraft artillery fire and surface-to-air missile attacks served to draw fire away from the other friendly forces in the area and contributed significantly to the overall success of the mission. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Major Edge reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.