Robert Francis Ronca

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Air Force Cross (Posthumously) to Robert Francis Ronca (41457), Major, U.S. Air Force, for extraordinary heroism in military operations against an opposing armed force as Pilot of an F-100 Aircraft in action in Southeast Asia on 19 February 1965. On that date, Major Ronca led an air strike on an objective of extreme importance. After aggressively attacking the target on the first pass, Major Ronca’s aircraft was severely damaged by the intense ground fire. Realizing the importance of totally destroying his objective, Major Ronca, with complete disregard for his own safety, reassured his flight that he could continue the mission and did aggressively lead a second attack. Although his aircraft was critically damaged, a determined attack was successfully completed resulting in heavy damages to the opposing forces before his crippled aircraft crashed into the target area. Through his extraordinary heroism, superb airmanship, and aggressiveness in the face of hostile forces, Major Ronca reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.