AWARDED DFC: 4
CONFLICT/SPACE FLIGHT/EVENT:  Vietnam
MODEL:  F-4D Phantom II

Citation:  1.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Ronald W. Fletcher for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-4D Aircraft Commander near Dak To, Republic of Vietnam on 10 April 1971. On that date, Captain Fletcher led a flight of Phantoms furnishing close air support for the besieged defenders of Fire Support Base Six. Despite intense and accurate ground £ire, adverse weather conditions, and mountainous terrain, Captain Fletcher led his flight in the accurate delivery of their ordnance resulting in two bunkers destroyed, one anti-aircraft gun destroyed, five sustained fires, ten secondary explosions, and five of the hostile forces destroyed. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Fletcher 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 Ronald W. Fletcher for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-4D Aircraft Commander in Southeast Asia on 6 September 1970. On that date, Captain Fletcher was in a flight of Phantoms sent deep into hostile territory to support allied resupply operations. Despite the hazards of adverse weather and intense ground fire, Captain Fletcher made repeated attacks delivering his ordnance with devastating accuracy destroying eighteen military structures, seven bunkers, and one cave; damaging eight more military structures; and contributing significantly to the successful resupply of a besieged town. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Fletcher 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 Captain Ronald W. Fletcher for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-4D Aircraft Commander near Chu Lai, Republic of Vietnam, on 7 August 1971. On that date, Captain Fletcher led a flight of Phantoms scrambled as a quick reaction force to attack a recently discovered hostile base camp and storage area. Despite extremely adverse weather, mountainous terrain, and a restricted attack pattern in the face of intense ground fire, Captain Fletcher led his flight in making repeated low altitude deliveries destroying six bunkers, five structures, thirty boxes of ammunition, and twelve supply vehicles; producing three major secondary explosions, thirty medium secondary explosions, and four secondary fires; killing four of the hostile forces; and reducing the hostile base camp to a burning shamble. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Fletcher 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 Ronald W. Fletcher for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-4D Aircraft Commander in Southeast Asia on 10 March 1971. On that date, Captain Fletcher led a flight of Phantoms scrambled from night alert status to attack a large, heavily defended ammunition storage area which was supporting hostile forces during Operation Lam Son 719. With complete disregard for his personal safety, Captain Fletcher led his flight on multiple low altitude attacks in the face of intense and accurate ground fire, despite darkness and a lack of illumination flares, destroying large quantities of ammunition. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Fletcher reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.