AWARDED DFC: 1
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 Captain Patrick A. Caldwell for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-4E Weapons Systems Officer over Southwest Asia on 10 August 1973. On that date, Captain Caldwell flew a strike mission in support of friendly troops ten miles north of Phnom Penh in the Khmer Republic. Despite marginal weather conditions and the threat of antiaircraft fire, Captain Caldwell delivered his ordnance directly on target destroying two enemy emplacements and inflicting many casualties on the enemy, thus effectively relieving friendly forces. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Caldwell reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.