AWARDED DFC: 3
CONFLICT/SPACE FLIGHT/EVENT:  -
MODEL:  AC-47

Citation:  1.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major Raymond S. Watson for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Aircraft Commander of an AC-47 aircraft over Cang Long, Republic of Vietnam, on the morning of 20 January 1967. On that date, Major Watson and his crew were called to the defense of Cang Long and the ARVN First Battalion which had been badly mauled and was about to be annihilated. In the face of intense hostile anti-aircraft fire, Major Watson and his crew repeatedly attacked the hostiles. After expending their ammunition, they returned to Binh Thuy Air Base to rearm and launch again to strike the hostiles. In spite of their extreme vulnerability in daylight, Major Watson and his crew remained on target until they had broken the attack and inflicted many casualties upon the withdrawing hostiles. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Major Watson 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 Major Raymond S. Watson for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as AC-47 Aircraft Commander at Houng My, Republic of Vietnam on 13 March 1967. On that night, Major Watson and his crew provided close air support for the Cai Loy outpost and the town of Houng My, which were under heavy attack by hostile forces. Despite intense and accurate ground fire, Major Watson and his crew made repeated illumination and firing passes to protect the beleaguered ground forces. Their aggressive actions forced the hostiles to retreat and turned a near disaster into a major victory. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Major Watson 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 Major Raymond S. Watson for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an AC-47 Aircraft Commander near Ca Mau, Republic of Vietnam on 18 May 1967. On that date, Major Watson and his crew flew a combat mission against a major hostile troop concentration. With complete disregard for their own safety, Major Watson and his crew flew through withering anti-aircraft fire to provide suppressing fire to block a hostile retreat and made repeated firing passes which destroyed eighteen hostile automatic weapons positions. These actions contributed greatly to the success of a mission of great tactical and psychological import. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Major Watson reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.