Dolphin D. Overton

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Dolphin Dunnaha Overton, III (AFSN: 0-18504A), United States Air Force, for gallantry in action against an armed enemy of the United States as a F-86 Pilot of the 49th Bomber Wing, FIFTH Air Force, over Sakchu, North Korea, 4 July 1952. On this date, Lieutenant Overton led a group of 37 F-84s in a raid to strafe and deliver 7,000 gallons of napalm to the North Korean Military Academy, located across the Yalu River from Antung. Approximately 1,200 MiG-15s were based there. In spite of the fierce enemy opposition (200 attacking MiG-15s–the most numerous of the Korean War) and extremely heavy anti-aircraft fire, Lieutenant Overton and his group dealt a devastating blow to the Academy. During the preflight mission briefing, Lieutenant Overton emphasized there was no way to avoid radar detection, there would be MiG-15s encountered, and there would be no room for a feint to confuse their target destination. His pep talk described that they had to hit the target, not drop their ordnance at the report of MiG-15s as previous bombing groups had done. He further advised that if attacked they would form Lufbery Circles, hold their ordnance, then go into the target zone and drop their ordnance. Each plane as it left the target area would hit the deck and proceed to the mouth of the Yalu River where it would group with the other planes and form another Lufbery Circle until the attacking MiG-15s ceased. During the mission, Lieutenant Overton led by example and maintained the integrity of his force. When the MiG-15s attacked the flights, the flights performed as briefed and no F-84s were lost and all ordnance was expended on target. The raid was selected to show the effectiveness of fighter-bombers under the nose of MiG-15s after B-29s had suffered unacceptable loses. So significant was Lieutenant Overton’s mission that when the United Nations sent a number of aircraft to attack the hydroelectric plants on the Yalu River, no MiG-15s rose to protect them and resulted in the Russian Commander being relieved of command. The success of this mission exemplified what could be done by good leadership during the height of intense chaos in combat, and written by both sides as being one of the major raids of the Korean War that helped convince North Korea of their non-assurance of winning the war and returning to diplomatic peace talks. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Lieutenant Overton has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Silver Star to Captain [then First Lieutenant] Dolphin Dunnaha Overton, III (AFSN: 0-18504A), United States Air Force, for gallantry in action against an armed enemy of the United States as a F-86 Pilot of the 51st Flying Interceptor Wing, FIFTH Air Force, near Insan-Dong, Korea, on 21 January 1953. Flying number two position in a flight of four F-86 aircraft, Captain Overton sight ed four MiG-15s. He attacked one of them scoring hits on the wing and tail section. The enemy aircraft was observed going straight down. Minutes later, Captain Overton sighted five MiGs. He attacked one hitting the wing roots, fuselage, and tail section. The enemy aircraft made a turn left and was last observed in a steep dive with fuel streaming from the right wing. By his gallantry and devotion to duty in the dedication to duty of his service to his country, Captain Overton has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Dolphin Dunnaha Overton, III (AFSN: 0-18504A), United States Air Force, for gallantry in action against an armed enemy of the United States as a F-86 Pilot of the 51st Flying Interceptor Wing, FIFTH Air Force. During his second combat tour, in a 4-day period of 21 to 24 January 1953, Lieutenant Overton led the 51st Flying Interceptor Wing in the confirmed shoot-down of four enemy MiG-15s. On 25 January 1953, while flying his aircraft near Uiju, Korea, Lieutenant Overton shot down his fifth enemy MiG-15. This accomplishment set a re cord in his becoming a jet ACE in the shortest period of time, becoming the 24th of the 38 ACEs of the Korean War. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Overton in the dedication of his service to his country reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Dolphin Dunnaha Overton, III (AFSN: 0-18504A), United States Air Force, for gallantry in action against an armed enemy of the United States as a F-86 Pilot of the 49th Bomber Wing, FIFTH Air Force, over North Korea, 15 June 1952. On this date, Lieutenant Overton led a group-bombing raid to destroy specific targets on Pyong Yang Airport East that remained after a previous group bombing effort. The accuracy of the attack was critical since prisoners of war were embedded in key sites in the target area. To assure the maximum safety of the prisoners of war, napalm and strafing runs were employed, making the attacking aircraft low and slow, vulnerable targets to the dense ground fire. The airport was heavily defended by forty-eight anti-aircraft guns and more than 100 automatic weapons, making it one of the worst “flak traps” in Korea. Against these improbable odds, Lieutenant Overton led his group-bombing raid in an almost perfect attack, resulting in 100 percent coverage and 98 percent effectiveness. No prisoner of war buildings were hit, nor did any aircraft sustain major damage. The results of the mission were cites as excellent and gratifying, and proved the ability of the FAR EAST Air Forces jet and propeller planes to carry out a variety of destructive missions. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Lieutenant Overton has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.