AWARDED DFC: 1
CONFLICT/SPACE FLIGHT/EVENT:  Vietnam
MODEL:  A-4

Citation:  1.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Gary F. Thiele for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on 30 June 1966 while serving with Attack Squadron Two Hundred Twelve, embarked in USS Hancock (CVA19), during operations against hostile forces in North Vietnam. Engaged as section leader in the first division of the attack element of A4 aircraft in an extremely hazardous and important strike against the Bac Giang petroleum storage area twenty miles northeast of Hanoi, Lieutenant Thiele maintained perfect flight integrity of his section, as the strike group proceeded in adverse weather conditions across seventy-five miles of rugged enemy terrain to the target area. He then positioned his section and led it through extremely heavy anti-aircraft fire in a well-coordinated and devastating attack which resulted in the destruction of eighty percent of the target. By his outstanding airmanship, courage and loyal devotion to duty, Lieutenant Thiele upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.