AWARDED DFC: 1
CONFLICT/SPACE FLIGHT/EVENT:  Vietnam
MODEL:  A-6A

Citation:  1.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Commander Haywood G. Sprouse for heroism while participating in aerial flight as a Pilot of jet aircraft attached to Attack Squadron One Hundred Ninety-six embarked in USS Enterprise (CVAN-65). On 22 December 1972, Lieutenant Commander Sprouse was the Pilot of an A-6A Intruder on a single plane night low-level strike mission against the Haiphong Shipyard West located in the city of Haiphong, in direct support of United States Air Force B-52 raids on the North Vietnam heartland. Flying at 500 feet above the ground under 1,500 foot overcast, Lieutenant Commander Sprouse was the target of two enemy surface-to-air missiles. Skillfully evading the missiles, he demonstrated exceptional heroism by electing to continue his attack in spite of battle damage to his aircraft and a hail of enemy anti-aircraft fire. His successful attack caused two secondary explosions and a sustained fire in the shipyard. Lieutenant Commander Sprouse's superb airmanship, courage and devotion to duty reflected great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.