Merrill H. Carlton

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Merrill H. Carlton, Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Air Force, for meritorious achievement and conspicuous gallantry in aerial flight on 20 July 1950 in support of the United Nations Forces as pilot of and unarmed T-6 aircraft in the vicinity of Tanyang, Korea. While on a visual reconnaissance flight over mountainous terrain, deep in enemy territory, with enemy air opposition probable and expected, Lieutenant Colonel (then Major) Carlton observed several gun positions, three vehicles, and five hay stacks which later proved to be camouflaged enemy medium tanks waiting to attack friendly forces. Realizing the military value of the targets and the damage that could be inflicted on friendly troops, Colonel Carlton immediately vectored friendly fighter aircraft to the area. With complete disregard for personal safety he dove his aircraft to within a few feet of the ground to pinpoint the targets for the fighters. Although enemy ground fire had damaged his aircraft and the enemy attacks continued, Colonel Carlton remained in the area and directed the fighter strike which resulted in total destruction of three gun positions, three vehicles, three tanks, and rendered the remainder ineffective in battle. The aggressiveness, courage under fire, and intense devotion to duty displayed by Colonel Carlton reflect great credit upon himself, the Far East Air Forces, and the United States Air Force.