Kenneth FRANKLIN Tobiason

The President of the United States takes Pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Kenneth Franklin Tobiason, Captain, U.S. Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force, as an F-100 pilot with the 416th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Republic of Vietnam, on 19 August 1967. On that date, Captain Tobiason was the leader of a flight of three F-100’s who provided fighter air support enabling the rescue of two downed United States Army helicopter crewmen under attack by an overwhelming hostile force. Responding instantly to the request for support by the crew of the downed aircraft, Captain Tobiason completely disregarding his own personal safety, voluntarily executed continuous low altitude dry passes through extremely heavy hostile automatic weapons fire to protect the downed aircrew until rescue forces arrived. When a Forward Air Controller arrived and cleared his flight to expend ordnance, Captain Tobiason’s outstanding courage and unerring accuracy directly resulted in the successful defense and recovery of the two downed aircrew members and inflicted severe damage upon the hostile weapons positions. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Captain Tobiason has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.