AWARDED DFC: 1
CONFLICT/SPACE FLIGHT/EVENT:  Vietnam
MODEL:  OV-10

Citation:  1.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Colonel Ronald V. Grabler for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Weapon System Operator in Southeast Asia on 23 September 1972. On that date, while flying in a lightly armed OV-10 aircraft on a support mission for friendly forces operating west of Quang Tri City, Republic of South Vietnam, Colonel Grabler located three enemy one-hundred millimeter artillery pieces which were being employed against an allied unit. Despite a barrage of extremely accurate anti-aircraft artillery fire that damaged his aircraft, Colonel Grabler employed his weapon system in conjunction with tactical fighters to destroy one of these positions and materially aided the advancement of the allied force attempting to retake the strategic position. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Colonel Grabler reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.