Randall Harold Cunningham

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Randall Harold Cunningham (722864), Lieutenant, U.S. Navy, for extraordinary heroism on 10 May 1972 while serving as a Pilot with Fighter Squadron NINETY- SIX (VF-96), embarked in U.S.S. Constellation (CVA-64), during a major air-wing coordinated strike against the strategic and heavily defended Hai Duong marshalling rail yard joining the port of Haiphong to the industrial center of Hanoi in North Vietnam. As leader of a section of F-4J flak-suppressor aircraft assigned to protect the less maneuverable and heavily loaded attack group, Lieutenant Cunningham positioned his unit between the retiring strike force and a large formation of approximately sixteen enemy aircraft attempting to intercept the bombers. Displaying extraordinary courage and brilliant aerial skill, he inspired and motivated his outnumbered shipmates in resisting several enemy assaults, and personally accounted for three of the six enemy aircraft destroyed in the fierce battle. Although his aircraft was struck by a surface-to-air missile and later burst into flame, Lieutenant Cunningham managed to barrel-roll his crippled fighter to the Tonkin Gulf where he ejected and was picked up shortly by a rescue helicopter. His great personal courage and invaluable contribution to the success of an extremely important mission were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.