AWARDED DFC: 8
CONFLICT/SPACE FLIGHT/EVENT:  Vietnam
MODEL:  F-4D, F-4E

Citation:  1.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant Dean F. Failor for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F4D Phantom Weapon Systems Operator in Southeast Asia on 7 May 1971. On that date, Lieutenant Failor contributed immeasurably to the success of a mission against an opposing armed force, being diverted from his primary target to strike a number of active antiaircraft artillery sites. Despite marginal weather and accurate heavy fire from the sites, he made repeated passes, resulting in the total destruction of four of the guns and 300 rounds of ammunition. His efforts reduced the defensive capability of the hostile forces increasing the survivability chances of subsequent air operations in this area. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Failor 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 First Lieutenant Dean F. Failor for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F4D Phantom Weapon Systems Operator in Southeast Asia on 29 August 1971. On that date, Lieutenant Failor led a strike mission against a vital oil pumping station, urgently needed by hostile forces, in a very highly defended area. Despite intense and accurate antiaircraft artillery fire and multiple aircraft equipment malfunctions in the flight, Lieutenant Failor coordinated with all aircraft in the area and directed the complete destruction of the pumping station and three associated military structures. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Failor 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 First Lieutenant Dean F. Failor for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F4D Phantom Weapon Systems Operator in Southeast Asia on 16 April 1971. On that date, Lieutenant Failor contributed immeasurably to the success of a night escort mission flown to suppress antiaircraft artillery fire for an AC-130 Gunship. Overcoming adverse weather conditions, extremely accurate antiaircraft fire, and the obvious hazards of darkness, Lieutenant Failor coordinated with his flight and other aircraft in the area with the utmost skill and professionalism, which resulted in one antiaircraft artillery position destroyed, four large fires, three large secondary explosions, and five killed-by­air, while being subjected to over seven hundred rounds of accurate antiaircraft fire. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Failor 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 Captain Dean F. Failor for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-4E Weapon Systems Operator in Southeast Asia on 20 May 1972. On that date, Captain Failor led a flight of four F-4E Phantom aircraft deep into North Vietnam to strike a vital electrical transformer and switching station that supplied critical electrical power to major defense and military production elements. With complete disregard for his personal safety, Captain Failor led his flight into the target area despite numerous surface-to-air missiles, intense antiaircraft fire, hostile aircraft and accurately laid down a chaff corridor for the incoming fighter-bomber force. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Failor 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 Captain Dean F. Failor for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-4D Weapon Systems Operator in Southeast Asia on 20 October 1972. On that date, Captain Failor participated in a four ship chaff flight tasked to provide a protective corridor leading to a major Northeast Railroad supply depot deep into North Vietnam. Reduced to a two ship by an air abort of the lead element, the flight elected to continue this important mission, even though the threat of surface-to-air missiles and hostile aircraft was greatly amplified. As a result of their determination, the ensuing strike force was able to reach the target safely and effectively destroy this transhipment center. The pro­fessional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Failor reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

6.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross (Fifth Oak Leaf Cluster) to Captain Dean F. Failor for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-4 Weapon Systems Operator in Southeast Asia on 21 December 1972. On that date, Captain Failor was tasked to destroy a high priority target located deep within the sophisticated North Vietnamese air defense network. Despite marginal weather conditions, a heightened surface-to-air missile threat, and multiple rounds of endangering antiaircraft artillery fire, Captain Failor severely damaged a major railyard denying the hostile forces vital war materials necessary to support the armed conflict in Southeast Asia. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Failor reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

7.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross (Sixth Oak Leaf Cluster) to Captain Dean F. Failor for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-4E Weapon Systems Operator in Southeast Asia on 14 October 1972. On that date, Captain Failor flew in a four ship chaff force laying a protective corridor for ensuing strike flights. In spite of intense hostile reaction, the corridor was completed and enabled the strike force to inflict heavy damage to the opposing forces. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Failor reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

8.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross (Seventh Oak Leaf Cluster) to Captain Dean F. Failor for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-4E Weapon Systems Operator in Southeast Asia on 23 November 1972. On that date, Captain Failor participated in a bombing raid against a heavily defended hostile transhipment area which was a vital link in the supply chain of petroleum fuel, machinery, weapons and ammunition destined to support hostile forces in South Vietnam. Despite darkness, adverse weather, and the constant harassment from antiaircraft artillery and surface-to-air missiles, Captain Failor delivered his ordnance with precision and effectiveness, denying the opposing force vital equipment and supplies. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Failor reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.