AWARDED DFC: 1
CONFLICT/SPACE FLIGHT/EVENT:  -
MODEL:  F-105

Citation:  1.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Charles W. McClarren for heroism while participating in aerial flight on 21 November 1964. On that date, Captain McClarren flew his F-105 aircraft over an unfriendly gun emplacement on a very important mission. While directing the second pass over the emplacement, the pilot of an F-101 aircraft radioed that his aircraft had been hit by ground fire. Despite the danger of continued hostile fire, Captain McClarren followed the damaged aircraft and directed the pilot to bailout. Captain McClarren, with great professional skill and disregard for his own safety, remained over the crash site beneath the clouds, keeping the location in sight to insure the safety of the downed pilot. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Captain McClarren reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.