AWARDED DFC: 5
CONFLICT/SPACE FLIGHT/EVENT:  Vietnam
MODEL:  F-4

Citation:  1.) The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant Russell S. Gartner for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Weapon Systems Officer, in Southeast Asia on 10 September 1972. On that date, Lieutenant Gartner participated in a strike flight with an assigned task of interdicting a valuable combination railroad and highway bridge, heavily used by the hostile forces. Despite bad weather which made target acquisition difficult, many surface-to-air missiles fired at his flight and countless rounds of antiaircraft artillery fire protecting the bridge, Lieutenant Gartner was successful in placing his ordnance accurately on target, dropping three spans of the bridge and thereby rendering it useless to the hostile forces. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Gartner reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

2.) The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross (First Oak Leaf Cluster) to First Lieutenant Russell S. Gartner for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Weapon Systems Officer, over Southeast Asia on 30 September 1972. On that date, Lieutenant Gartner participated in a strike flight with an assigned mission deep within hostile territory. Braving engagements with hostile aircraft, surface-to-air missiles, and countless rounds of antiaircraft artillery fire. Lieutenant Gartner was successful in directing his ordnance on target, thereby interdicting a valuable supply line heavily used by the hostile forces. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Gartner reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

3.) The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross (Second Oak Leaf Cluster) to First Lieutenant Russell S. Gartner for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an F-4 Weapon System Officer over Hanoi, North Vietnam, on 21 December 1972. On that date, Lieutenant Gartner was assigned to strike an important thermal power plant. Despite the threat of hostile aircraft, surface-to-air missiles, and countless rounds of antiaircraft artillery fire, Lieutenant Gartner succeeded in rendering the power plant useless to the hostile forces. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Gartner reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

4.) The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross (Third Oak Leaf Cluster) to First Lieutenant Russell S. Gartner for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-4 Weapon Systems Officer over Southeast Asia on 27 December 1972. On that date, Lieutenant Gartner struck a vital radio communication center deep in hostile territory. Undaunted by the extremely high concentration of antiaircraft defenses, marginal weather conditions, and attacks by hostile aircraft, Lieutenant Gartner successfully delivered his ordnance directly on target. As a direct result of Lieutnenant Gartner’s exemplary leadership and dedicated effort in the performance of duty under extremely hazardous conditions, hostile operations in Southeast Asia ere denied the use of this important facility. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Gartner reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

5.) The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross (Fourth Oak Leaf Cluster) to First Lieutenant Russell S. Gartner for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a F-4 Weapon Systems Officer near Vinh, North Vietnam on 7 August 1972. On that day Lieutenant Gartner ingressed into one of the most highly defended areas of North Vietnam, including surface-to-air missiles, hostile aircraft and antiaircraft artillery, as a single ship flight to implant a string of sensors near the main supply route to South Vietnam. Despite thousands of rounds of small arms fire, Lieutnenant Gartner successfully ingressed at tree top level and delivered the sensors precisely on target. Lieutenant Gartner’s superior performance under these hazardous conditions greatly contributed to the vast reduction in the flow of supplies to hostile forces operating in South Vietnam. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Gartner reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.