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

Citation:  1.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant Andrew P. Medler for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-4E Weapon Systems Officer over Southeast Asia on 10 January 1972. On that date, despite intense anti-aircraft fire and marginal weather conditions during nighttime, Lieutenant Medler successfully directed an attack on hostile anti-aircraft artillery positions in support of an AC-130 gunship. Multiple passes against these targets resulted in the silencing of numerous gun positions, enabling the gunship to destroy or damage twenty-seven supply vehicles and to create forty-six secondary fires, depriving the opposing forces of vital supplies. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by displayed by Lieutenant Medler 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 to First Lieutenant Andrew P. Medler for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-4E Weapon Systems Officer over Southeast Asia on 21 February 1972. On that date, despite intense, accurate anti-aircraft fire, both visually and radar controlled, and the presence of marginal weather, Lieutenant Medler, a Strike Lead, made numerous high speed, low altitude passes on a group of anti-aircraft guns. His accurate placement of marking rockets and expert instructions allowed the mission’s accurate ordnance placement, which resulted in five anti-aircraft guns destroyed, one anti-aircraft gun damaged, and numerous secondary fires and explosions. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by displayed by Lieutenant Medler 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 to First Lieutenant Andrew P. Medler for extraordinary achievement while engaged in aerial flight as an F-4E Weapon Systems Officer over Southeast Asia on 1 March 1972. On that date, while flying as a fast moving Forward Air Controller, Lieutenant Medler directed several highly successful air strikes against an assortment of hostile anti-aircraft emplacements, troop bunkers, and a supply storage area. His aggressiveness, perseverance, and exceptional utilization of multiple ordnance delivery techniques ensured mission accomplishment of the strike force with maximum damage inflicted on the target area. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by displayed by Lieutenant Medler 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 to First Lieutenant Andrew P. Medler for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-4E Weapon Systems Operator in Southeast Asia on 11 April 1972. On that date, despite extremely intense anti-aircraft fire, rugged mountainous terrain and adverse weather conditions, Lieutenant Medler directed the silencing or destruction of seven anti-aircraft gun positions. With complete disregard for his own safety, he made multiple low angle and altitude passes to contribute significantly to the successful recovery of a downed crew member. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by displayed by Lieutenant Medler reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.